Factors Relating to Satisfaction in Denture Service of the Older Adult at Ranong Hospital, Ranong Province

Abstract

The main oral health problems among older adults are tooth loss and having unattractive teeth which are, consequently, in need of receiving dentures. This cross-sectional research was aimed to investigate the factors correlated with satisfaction among older adult receiving denture services at Ranong Hospital, Thailand. Research participants were 217 older adults who were at least 60 years old, had less than 20 permanent teeth or four pairs of occlusal teeth, and received denture services. The data were collected using 1) an interviewer-administered questionnaire consisting four parts (1.1 personal data, 1.2 oral health related quality of life, 1.3 performance of denture use, and 1.4 perception of the older adults of denture use [Cronbach’s alpha [α] of 1.2-1.4 = .85, .78, and .79, respectively]), 2) the denture quality check (α = .78), and 3) a satisfaction assessment (α = .74). Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics, chi-square test, and Pearson’ s product moment correlation coefficients. The results revealed that the older adults had high overall level of satisfaction toward the denture services (M = 2.72, SD = 0.26). The highest level of satisfaction was related to the staff and personnel aspect (M = 2.75, SD = 0.37), while the lowest was related to the outcomes of the services (M = 2.67, SD = 0.44). The all aspects regarding the quality of dentures provided were appropriate, except when there was a defect or the dentures got damaged. Having a caregiver was the only factor which was correlated with satisfaction (χ²(1, n = 217) = 5.577, p = 0.018). This indicated that hospitals should develop service systems to increase their patients’ satisfaction and dentists should be knowledgeable about modern technology and provide good advice to their patients, especially regarding appropriate denture care.