Relationship Between Prosthodontic Treatment Awareness with Number and Position of Tooth Loss

Objective: This study was conducted to determine the status of tooth loss and perception of patients’ awareness about prosthodontic treatment in adults with emphasis on number of tooth loss and their position in mouth. Edentulism and partial tooth loss still represent a significant health concern among Indonesian adults. Individual perception of potential reason of treatment selection was the most consequential determinants of patients’ decisions to treat condition of tooth loss, predicated on level of patient’s awareness. Methods: This study was done using a convenience sampling on patient age of 20 years and above with one or more missing teeth except the third molars. Patients were clinically evaluated and answered questionnaire about self-awareness of prosthodontic treatment. This research design was cross sectional and analyzed with Kruskal-Wallis and Mann Whitney test (α = 5%). Results: Clinical factors like number and position of tooth loss and other socio-demographic factor like age were associated to patient’s awareness of prosthodontic treatment. Conclusion: Based on these evidences, we suggested that in general, the dentist must spend more time to increase patient awareness on the consequences of tooth loss to motivate patient regarding the need of a denture and leading them to demand prosthodontic treatment.