Agreement between clinical measures of quality and patients' rating of fit of existing and new complete dentures

Objectives. To assess agreement between patients' appreciation of fit and clinical assessment of quality of existing and new complete dentures. Materials and methods. In each case existing complete dentures at the initial visit and new complete dentures at the first post insertion visit were assessed by a prosthodontist using a validated method for assessing denture quality. Patients rated fit of existing and new complete dentures on four-point scales. Weighted Cohen's kappa and multiple correspondence analyses were the statistical methods employed in this study. Results. 459 patients completed the study. A statistically 'fair' level of agreement was found between clinical and patient assessment of dentures. There was close correspondence between dentist and patient appreciation when the existing dentures were rated as poor and when the new dentures were rated highly. Discussion. A worthwhile level of agreement between patients' appreciation of fit of complete dentures and the clinical assessment of quality of existing and new complete dentures was found. Marked differences in the nature of agreement for patients' and clinicians' rating of new and existing dentures were demonstrated. These results emphasize the importance of denture quality in achieving patient approval. Conclusion. Agreement and correspondence between patient and clinician appreciation of existing and new complete dentures were determined. (C) 2002 Elsevier Science Ltd. All rights reserved.