Agreement of Prosthesis Needs Assessment between Elderly and Dentist

Abstract

The level of agreement in assessment of prosthesis needs between elderly and dentist helps to provide prosthetic service according to elders needs. This descriptive study aimed to determine the agreement in assessment of prosthesis needs between elderly and dentist. The study also aimed to determine factors associated with prosthetic needs among the elderly. Simple random sampling was used. Two hundred and thirty subjects aged 60 years or over were interviewed and underwent an oral cavity examination. The data were analysed to determine agreement with kappa coefficient and to assess the association between factors and needs of prosthetics among the elderly using a multiple logistic regression and odds ratio (OR) was reported. 

The results revealed that kappa for upper teeth 0.19 (95% CI: 0.12, 0.27), lower teeth 0.15 (95% CI: 0.07, 0.23) and upper or lower teeth 0.12 (95% CI: 0.05, 0.19). The factors that were statistically significantly associated with needs of prosthetics among the elderly (p-value<0.05) were not able to perform activities of daily living OR=6.67 (95% CI: 3.13, 14.29), male OR=2.22 (95% CI: 1.08, 4.76), and receiving any recommendations by dental personnel OR=2.13 (95% CI: 1.06, 4.35)

In sum, the level of agreement in assessment of prosthesis needs between the elderly and dentist was low. The main factor associated to need of prosthetics among the elderly was capable of performing activities of daily living.