Sociodemographic determinants of usage of removable partial denture in a tertiary hospital: A retrospective study.

Objective: To determine the influence of sociodemographic characteristics on pattern of removable partial denture use in a tertiary institution over a one-year period.

Methods: This was a retrospective study using records of partially dentate patients seeking replacement for their missing teeth within one-year duration. Information retrieved from the patients’ records included demographic characteristics such as gender, age, marital status, occupation, arch type, number and reasons for missing teeth and type of removable partial denture. Statistical analysis was performed using statistical package for social science (SPSS) version 17 (Chicago, IL.). The analysis was done using frequency distribution, cross tabulations, t test and test of significance with chi square. P<0.05 was considered statistically significant.

Results: A total of 98 patients were seen over the study period with a male/female ratio of 1:1.45. The patients’ age ranged from 20 to 89 years with a mean age of 47.19 ± 18.37. The number of teeth replaced ranged from 1 to 17 with a mean of 3.13 ± 3.30 teeth. The mean number of missing teeth was significantly higher among patients aged 50 years and above (p = 0.002). Majority (69.4%) of the patients were married and 59.2% were working class (skilled and unskilled). The Kennedy’s Class III saddle was the most prevalent in the maxilla while Class IV was most prevalent in the mandible; a difference that was statistically significant. Conclusion: Socioeconomic status, age and gender influenced the use of removable partial denture.