Characteristics and experiences of women with and without full dentures in a city of the Netherlands

Abstract

A combined dental and sociological study was completed in Leeuwarden in 1976. Approximately 600 children filled in a questionnaire and were dentally examined. Their mothers were also interviewed. 536 mothers took part in the study; of these, 45% had full dentures and only 33% still had a normal dentition. These two groups of mothers have been compared in this article. There was very little difference between the mean ages of the two groups, but a considerable difference in education, family income and the husband's occupation. Women with full dentures used to visit the dentist less frequently when young. There also was a slightly more sceptica- attitude as to possible preservation of teeth among those who did not succeed in keeping their natural teeth. A description of some of the characteristics and the experiences of the two groups, those with and those without dentures, has also been included. The group of women with full dentures were rather satisfied about their dental state although even a part of this group still have problems with their dentures. The group of women still having natural teeth were fairly optimistic about the state of their teeth and their expectancy of the need for dental care in the future.