Prevalence and Severity of Clinical Oral Dryness and Its Association with Medication Use and Socioeconomic Status among Elderly Complete Denture Wearers: A Cross-Sectional Study
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.52206/jsmc.2026.16.3.1354Abstract
Background: Clinical oral dryness is a common oral condition among older adults and is particularly problematic in complete denture wearers because adequate salivary function is essential for denture retention, oral comfort, mastication, and maintenance of oral health. Multiple factors, including aging, medication use, and socioeconomic disparities, may contribute to the development and severity of clinical oral dryness.
Objective: To determine the prevalence and severity of clinical oral dryness among elderly patients wearing complete removable dental prostheses and to evaluate its association with regular medication use and socioeconomic status.
Methodology: A descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted at the Department of Prosthodontics, Bacha Khan College of Dentistry, Mardan, Pakistan, between November 2022 and May 2023. Sixty-eight elderly patients aged 65–85 years wearing complete removable dental prostheses were recruited using consecutive non-probability sampling. Clinical oral dryness was assessed using the Challacombe Clinical Oral Dryness Scale. Demographic characteristics, medication use, and socioeconomic status were recorded using a standardized data collection form.
Results: The mean age of participants was 71.82 ± 4.61 years, and females constituted 51.5% of the study population. Clinical oral dryness was identified in 29.4% of participants. Among affected individuals, 7.4% had mild, 13.2% had moderate, and 8.8% had severe clinical oral dryness. Regular medication use was reported by 58.8% of participants, while 47.1% belonged to a low socioeconomic group. Clinical oral dryness severity showed statistically significant associations with regular medication use (p = 0.032) and socioeconomic status (p = 0.045). No significant association was observed between gender and clinical oral dryness severity (p = 0.402).
Conclusion: Clinical oral dryness is common among elderly complete denture wearers and is significantly associated with regular medication use and lower socioeconomic status. Routine assessment of oral dryness should be incorporated into prosthodontic practice to facilitate early identification, individualized management, and improved oral health outcomes in older adults.
Keywords: Clinical Oral Dryness, Complete Denture, Elderly, Medication Use, Prosthodontics, Socioeconomic Status, Xerostomia.
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