Not Chewing Food among the Thai Elderly with Complete Denture
Chukiat Viwatwongkasem PhD*, Romanee Kudngaongarm DDS, MS**, Somchai Chaisupamongkollarp DDS**, Chanida Thamsoonthorn DDS, MS**, Anchalee Naovaratsophon DDS, MA**, Prapon Nipattasat DDS, MS**, Weeranun Vichathai DDS**, Chaweewan Pakdethanakul DDS**, Suthi Jareinpituk PhD***, Pratana Satitvipawee PhD*
Affiliation : * Department of Biostatistics, Faculty of Public Health, Mahidol University, Bangkok, Thailand ** Institute of Dentistry, Department of Medical Services, Ministry of Public Health, Nonthaburi, Thailand *** Department of Epidemiology, Faculty of Public Health, Mahidol University, Bangkok, Thailand
Objective : The study aims to investigate the use of a complete denture in terms of not chewing food and determining the
strength of association between not chewing food and several potential risk factors among the Thai elderly.
Material and Method: Under the support of the “Khao Aroi” or “Delicious Rice” or “Dental Implant” Project of Institute
of Dentistry, Department of Medical Services, Ministry of Public Health, and in co-operation with the Ministry of Science and
Technology during 2007-2011, a cross-sectional survey by multi-stage cluster sampling was conducted in 2008, in 21
provinces, 87 hospitals, with 2,676 Thai elderly. The sample was drawn from a sampling frame of 58,043 target Thai people
aged 60 years and over, under the Dental Prosthesis Service Campaign (DPSC) project during 2005 and 2007. All Thai
elderly, who received a complete denture from the DPSC project at least three months prior, were surveyed from May to
October 2008 through questionnaires. Data were analyzed by a set of descriptive analyses and binary logistic regression
models.
Results : Not chewing food among the Thai elderly, after receiving a complete denture, was 12.5%, quite a bit more effective
than ordinary work. Nontaluck found 38% for the proportion not wearing dentures in the 30-baht health care program. This
finding is confirmed by the work of Dalodom et al that the use of dentures by Thai elderly was 93% in the DPSC project. The
important risk factors that influenced not to chew food were satisfaction with dentures, patient’s satisfaction with the denture
fitting and care, while controlling the amount of dentures, respectively.
Conclusion : Satisfaction of patients with their dentures, good oral health care in fitting denture work, and good communication
between dentists and patients are important keys affecting the use of dentures.
Keywords : Not chewing food, Thai elderly dentures, Implants, “Khao Aroi” or “Delicious Rice” project, Dental prosthesis service campaign project
