Screening of Partially Edentulous Patients using the Prosthodontic Diagnostic Index and Post-treatment Satisfaction of Fixed Partial Dentures: A Cross-sectional Survey

Abstract

Aim: The present study was conducted to understand the correlation between the severity/complexity of the prosthodontic status of the patient before the start of the fixed prosthodontic treatment as classified by the prosthodontic diagnostic index for partially edentulous patients prescribed by the ACP and the patient satisfaction post-treatment using the patient satisfaction questionnaire. Materials and methods: An observational cross-sectional study was conducted among all the patients who underwent fixed prosthodontic treatment in the College of Dentistry, Jazan University. They were initially classified using the PDI for partially edentulous patients before treatment. A total of 128 patients were included into the study based on the inclusion criteria. The participants were interviewed post treatment using the Patient Satisfaction Questionnaire. Overall current satisfaction was calculated as the mean of current appearance, mastication, phonetics, cleansability, and cost satisfaction. The data was tabulated and subjected to statistical analysis using t-test and one way ANOVA. Results: The mean satisfaction values were high for all the PDI groups, for both the males and females. The males showed overall higher mean satisfaction for all the questions compared to the females (p > 0.05). The PDI group 4 showed overall less mean satisfaction compared to the other groups and statistically significant lesser satisfaction compared to group 1 (p < 0.05). Conclusion: Greater patient satisfaction was achieved for PDI class 1 which has less prosthodontic complexity of treatment when compared to a more complex PDI class 4. Student treatments should be limited to less complex PDI classes and clinicians with more experience are better suited to handle the more complex prosthodontic needs of the complex PDI patients. Clinical significance: PDI classification is a useful adjunct in assessing treatment need and expected future patient satisfaction. Hence, it should be applied as a screening tool in all the clinical situations needing fixed dental prosthesis.