Evaluación del conocimiento sobre el cuidado e higiene de prótesis removibles en la Clínica Odontológica UCSG 2025.

Abstract

Introduction: Edentulism is a common oral health condition that primarily affects older adults, compromising masticatory function, speech, aesthetics, and quality of life. Removable dentures are an effective therapeutic alternative; however, their proper hygiene and maintenance are essential to prevent complications such as denture stomatitis and chronic atrophic candidiasis. General objective: To evaluate the knowledge of edentulous patients regarding the care and hygiene of removable dentures at the Oral Rehabilitation Clinic of the Catholic University of Santiago de Guayaquil (UCSG) and to analyze its relationship with their educational level. Materials and Methods: A quantitative, cross-sectional, analytical, descriptive-observational, and non-experimental study was conducted on a sample of 60 patients selected using non-probability convenience sampling. Data were collected using a structured survey validated by experts. The data were analyzed using descriptive statistics and the chi-square test with a significance level of 5%. Results: 90% of participants reported cleaning their dentures, and 48.15% do so at least twice a day. 70% use some type of cleaning product, with water alone being the most common method (35.7%). 60% do not sleep with their dentures in, and 78.3% remove them during the day. No significant association was found between educational level and the use of disinfectants (p = 0.134) or with knowledge about the use of toothpaste (p = 0.83). Conclusions: Favorable hygiene practices exist; however, limitations in specific knowledge persist, highlighting the need to strengthen continuing dental education for these patients.