Understanding the perceived needs for tooth replacement in older adults: a case study of Dan Kwian, Korat

Tooth loss holds a complex relationship with oral health-related quality of life. A recent National survey reported only half of Thai elderly population with remaining teeth fewer than 20 had their dentures made, despite a policy promoting denturefabrication free of charge. The aim of this study was for exploring the perspectives of older adults living in Dan Kwian subdistrict regarding their perceived needs for tooth replacement. We purposefully selected older adults who were identified a denture needed by a dental nurse and but not currently wearing the prosthesis, for a face-to-face in-depth semi-structure interview. The saturated data was reached with 29 older adults. Inductive content analysis of the interview transcripts yielded two main themes: First,the factors influencing the needs for denture: 1.1) “the rumours from neighbors & the village health volunteer as the main influencer” inducing the needs; 1.2) the socialization stimulated the needs; and 1.3) indirect cost despite free denture hindering the needs. Second, the dynamic of conflicting priorities: 2.1) From attach to detach once getting old or being ill; 2.2) perceived needs could change over time in response to changes in life circumstance. In sum, insights from this study may help reduce thediscrepancies between professional needs and the perceived needs of the patients

牙齿缺失与口腔健康相关生活质量之间存在复杂关联。尽管泰国推行了免费制作义齿（denture）的政策，但近期一项全国性调查显示，在剩余牙齿不足20颗的老年人群体中，仅有半数配备了义齿。本研究旨在探究丹坤（Dan Kwian）分区老年人群体对牙齿修复的感知需求及其相关观点。研究通过目的性抽样选取了经牙科护士评估需要义齿但目前未佩戴该修复体的老年人，进行面对面的深度半结构化访谈（semi-structured interview）。共访谈29名老年人，数据达到饱和状态。对访谈记录的归纳内容分析得出两大主题：其一，影响义齿需求的因素，包括1.1）邻里及村卫生志愿者的传言是需求产生的主要影响因素；1.2）社交活动刺激需求；1.3）尽管义齿免费，但间接成本阻碍需求。其二，优先级冲突的动态变化，包括2.1）年老或患病后从重视到忽视的转变；2.2）感知需求会随生活环境变化而动态调整。综上，本研究的洞见有助于缩小专业评估需求与患者感知需求之间的差距。