Use and need of removable dental prostheses in an institutionalized Brazilian elderly population: a cross-sectional study

Abstract The aim of this study was to assess the use and need of conventional removable prostheses (total and partial) and their associated factors among institutionalized elders. A cross-sectional study was conducted with 1003 elderly people living in non-profit private long-term care institutions in Belo Horizonte, Brazil. Inclusion criteria required a minimum Mini Mental State of Examination (MMSE) score of 21. After the test, 191 individuals were included. Oral examination and interviews were conducted to identify participants’ use (throughout the day/every day) and need (do not have/have but do not use) of removable dental prostheses. Socioeconomic health indicators and behaviours were collected from institutional records and via interviews. Bivariate analysis was performed using chi-square test (p