Predicting denture satisfaction and quality of life in completely edentulous: A mixed-mode study.

Aim: The aim of the study was to evaluate the effect of dentist's communication skills and patient's psychological factors in predicting denture satisfaction and quality of life. Settings and Design: Cohort study. Materials and Methods: Patient-related variables were obtained using questionnaires in both pre- and post-intervention phases. In addition to this, in preintervention phase, lacunae in doctor-patient communication were obtained. Based on this, the postgraduates were trained in relevant communication skills required during complete denture treatment. In postintervention phase, the postgraduates were again followed up for continuation or decay of skills. Statistical Analysis: Mixed-mode approach - quantitative and qualitative analysis. Results: Both groups were similar in psychological parameters, personality domains, denture quality and quality of life at baseline. However, there was significant difference in denture satisfaction (P < 0.001) in both the groups. In the experimental group, denture satisfaction was more (80.4%) and quality of life had improved from baseline to 3 months (P = 0.000). Denture satisfaction was associated with self-efficacy (P = 0.002) and the communication skills of the dentist (P = 0.000). Quality of life was associated with the conscientiousness domain of personality (P = 0.049) and the communication skills of the dentist (P < 0.05). Conclusion: Satisfaction and quality of life with dentures were associated with self-efficacy, conscientiousness domain and the communication skills of the dentist. Denture satisfaction can be predicted by dentist communication skills. Therefore, training in communication skills for complete denture patient management and assessment of the psychological profile of the patient could contribute to the effective patient-centered practice to avoid patient dissatisfaction.

Are we Training Enough of Communication Skills and Patient Psychology Required in Dental Practice.

The aim of this review is to discuss about lacunae in the areas of Communication skills and Patient psychology teaching in the dental set up in India. A literature search was performed using various databases and other resources. Data obtained was reviewed to obtain the work done in this field. It was found that there is currently no clear data in literature as to how much and how well students are taught about communication and behavioural skills and patient personality in dental curriculum in India. Pinpointing such lacunae can help dental colleges and universities to focus on the emphasis of their approaches to teaching about communication skills and psychology of the patient. Identification of future research area in this field is the need of the time for future discovery and progress in this overlooked field.

Evaluation of complete denture patients using graphoanalysis: a clinical study.

PURPOSE OF THE STUDY: The purpose was to analyze and classify behavioral pattern of complete denture patients and to identify difficult patients. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Fifty complete denture patients were randomly selected for the study. Their behavioral pattern was categorized using House classification as philosophic, indifferent, exacting and hysterical. The above behavioral classification was based on two methods namely interview and questionnaire and graphoanalysis. Accuracy of the above-mentioned two methods in predicting behavior of complete denture patients was statistically evaluated. RESULTS: On analyzing the data it was found that a significant correlation exists between handwriting pattern and behavior of an individual. Further it was noticed that chances of identifying difficult patients such as hysterical was more effective by employing graphoanalysis than questionnaire and interview method. CONCLUSION: Graphoanalysis in addition with properly structured interview and questionnaire is useful in evaluation of behavior of an individual especially for recognizing difficult patients.