Understanding the impact of removable partial dentures on patients' lives and their attitudes to oral care

Introduction Due to a rising prevalence of removable partial denture (RPD) use, there is an unmet need to explore the psychological impact on patient wellbeing. Aim To assess the psychological effects of consumers losing teeth and receiving partial dentures to better manage their needs. Design Four market research surveys, undertaken on behalf of GlaxoSmithKline Consumer Healthcare, are described. Setting Surveys were conducted across the US, Japan, Malaysia, Colombia, Brazil, Poland and Italy. Materials and methods Quantitative/qualitative methods were used to gain knowledge regarding patients' experiences living with partial dentures. Results In a global market research survey involving 3,952 RPD wearers (RPDWs), 54% said that losing teeth was difficult to accept, 40% were concerned about their appearance, 32% were embarrassed about wearing dentures and 62% wished that more oral care education was available when they were younger. In another survey of >1,000 RPDWs, self-esteem was negatively impacted in 51% of respondents and 57% reported anxiety around dental visits. Conclusions Global market research confirmed that RPDWs can have emotional and practical needs that are not well understood/documented by dental healthcare professionals (HCPs). Consumer research can enhance understanding of patients' needs by dental HCPs and provide suggestions about how they may address them.