The Effect of Dental Health Promotion to Knowledge, Skills, Denture Care Behaviors and Dental Plaque of Diabetic Patients Wearing Partial Removable Dentures

Abstract

A quasi-experimental pretest-posttest design aimed to investigate the effectiveness of a dental health promotion program for improving knowledge, skills, and behavior regarding denture care and dental plaque among diabetic patients wearing partial removable dentures. 30 participants were recruited, and the sample size was computed using the G*Power software. The research tools utilized in this study included the Kuanniaung Hospital program for reducing complications at the early-stage diabetic dental care, knowledge questionnaire, plaque index recording form, toothbrushing assessment form, including assessment form for a denture care behaviors. The inter-item correlation coefficient (IOC) was > 0.5 for the knowledge questionnaires, while these questionnaires demonstrated a KR20 value of 0.72. Data analysis involved the use of frequency statistics, percentages, and paired t-tests. The research findings revealed that after implementing the program, the diabetic and oral health knowledge, tooth brushing skills, and denture care behavior of the diabetic patients wearing partial removable dentures were significantly increased. Furthermore, there was a significant reduction in plaque levels, with a statistically significance (p-value < 0.001), consequently, this program can reduce the risk of oral diseases in the diabetic patients wearing partial removable dentures and should be continued to address oral health issues and other complications amongst these patients.