Dental Clinicians' and Technologists' Experiences and Perspectives on Removable Complete Denture Fabrication Services in Makerere University Dental Hospital, Uganda

David Nono; Mathias Akugizibwe; Godfrey Bagenda; Isaac Okullo; Charles Mugisha Rwenyonyi

doi:10.2147/CCIDE.S495315

Dental Clinicians' and Technologists' Experiences and Perspectives on Removable Complete Denture Fabrication Services in Makerere University Dental Hospital, Uganda

Clin Cosmet Investig Dent. 2024 Dec 6:16:499-511. doi: 10.2147/CCIDE.S495315. eCollection 2024.

Authors

David Nono^{1

2

3

4}, Mathias Akugizibwe⁵, Godfrey Bagenda⁶, Isaac Okullo³, Charles Mugisha Rwenyonyi³

Affiliations

¹ Department of Clinical Research, Central University of Nicaragua, Managua, Nicaragua.
² Department of Clinical Research, Texila American University, Georgetown, Guyana.
³ Department of Dental Technology, Makerere University, Kampala, Uganda.
⁴ Department of Research, Uganda Institute of Allied Health and Management Sciences-Mulago, Kampala, Uganda.
⁵ Department of Research, Medical Research Council/Uganda Virus Research Institute & London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, Kampala, Uganda.
⁶ Department of Anatomy, Makerere University, Kampala, Uganda.

Abstract

Background: Globally, there is growing concern regarding mouth sores, occlusion, cost, ridge resorption, and retention, in the delivery of removable complete dentures fabrication services brought about by the aging of the population and poor oral healthcare. The therapy for edentulous patients can be realized through the use of conventional removable complete dentures, implant-supported prostheses, and computer-aided design/computer-aided manufacturing (CAD/CAM). In Uganda, the therapy for edentulous patients has predominantly been realized through the use of conventional removable complete dentures. There has been a discernible difference in the number of visits and remake rate between removable complete dentures that were made conventionally and digitally. This present study, therefore, aimed to explore dental clinicians' and technologists' experiences and perspectives on removable complete denture fabrication services.

Methods: The study employed a qualitative design, 25 in-depth interviews were conducted with dental clinicians and technologists at Makerere University Dental Hospital. Both practicing dental technologists and clinicians were purposively selected after providing written informed consent. Interviews' audios were transcribed verbatim, coded in NVivo 14 and data were analyzed thematically.

Results: Clinical and socio-demographic assessments like age, oral hygiene, ridge level, underlying health conditions, and mental stability of the patient were done by dental clinicians before removable complete denture fabrication. Dental technologists and clinicians mentioned patients having a lot of expectations relating to being able to eat whatever they like and improving physical appearance. However, the patients also had fears and concerns about discomfort, and some worried that they would swallow the dentures.

Conclusion: Prior assessments were the basis for planning for complete denture therapy. Patients' fears and expectations can effectively be addressed in the consent process since adequate information can be shared and the patients can be psychologically prepared to receive the denture treatment.

Keywords: complete denture therapy; computer-aided design; computer-aided manufacturing; dental clinicians; dental technologists.

Grants and funding

This research was supported by the Government of Uganda through the Makerere University Research and Innovations Fund (grant number MAK-RIF ROUND 5, 2023–2024). The views expressed herein are those of the authors and do not necessarily represent the views of the Government of Uganda, Makerere University, or the MAK-RIF secretariat.