The impact of tooth loss in a denture wearing population: An assessment using the Oral Health Impact Profile

Objectives: To assess the impact of tooth toss in complete denture wearers using the Oral Health Impact Profile (OHIP), and to compare the validity of 49 and 14 item versions of OHIP in a denture wearing population. Design: In this cross sectional study, data were collected at Newcastle Dental Hospital, UK. Two groups were involved: (1) subjects edentulous in one or both jaws seeking dental implants to retain their intra-oral prostheses (n=48); (2) an edentulous control group of the same age and gender distribution requesting conventional, complete dentures (n=35). All participants in the study completed a 49 item OHIP (OHIP-49) and a validated denture satisfaction questionnaire prior to active treatment. OHIP data were computed using the weighted standardised and simple count methods. Non-parametric statistical tests were used to compare the responses of implant and control subjects. Results: Both groups were dissatisfied with their conventional dentures and had relatively similar levels of dissatisfaction. There were statistically significant differences between the groups for all seven OHIP-49 sub-scale scores. Differences betweer OHIP-14 sub-scale scores were also significant, with presence of teeth influencing the impact on psychological discomfort. Conclusion: Subjects in the implant group were significantly more impaired, disabled and handicapped by tooth loss than subjects seeking conventional dentures. The results suggested that OHIP-49 and OHIP-14 had a similar ability to discriminate between the groups. This indicates that OHIP-14 may be a useful aid in a clinical setting.