CARING PRACTICES AND AFFECTING FACTORS OF INDIVIDUALS USING REMOVABLE DENTURE: A PHENOMENOLOGICAL STUDY

Abstract

Many physical and individual problems affect the optimal hygiene of removable dentures. This study aims to analyze the caring practices and factors affecting hygiene of removable denture from the participants’ perspective. Participants’ experiences of hygiene of denture were examined by using phenomenological research design. 17 participants with removable were selected acoording to extreme (4-clean) and deviant (13- poor) sampling method. Data were collected through individual interviews. Data were analyzed using thematic analysis and three themes in each removable denture hygiene group. The themes of extremely clean group were “Denture… I have no other choice”“Dental Hygiene… As much as possible after every meal”and“You need to know the value of own teeths before you lose it” themes of extremely poor denture hygiene group were “Denture…I have no other choice…I got used and I am pleased” “ Dental hygiene…I only do when I have to”and “You need to know the value of own theeths before you  lose it". The findings presented in this study reveals that individuals should be informed abou thygiene of removable denture by considering their religious and cultural beliefs and pre-denture dental care practices.