Thesis
Frequency of returns to maintenance and factors affecting follow-up in complete denture patients at the University of Iowa
University of Iowa
Master of Science (MS), University of Iowa
Spring 2025
DOI: 10.25820/etd.007995
Abstract
Objective: The primary objective was to assess frequency of returns to maintenance among patients who received complete dentures at the University of Iowa College of Dentistry and the secondary objective was to investigate the associations between patient demographic characteristics, clinical factors, treatment variables, and frequency of follow-up appointments.
Materials and Methods:
This retrospective cohort study evaluated 608 patients aged 65 years or older who received complete dentures between 2016 and 2021. De-identified data retrieved from electronic health records included follow-up appointments, age, gender, clinic type, provider type, insurance status, mental health condition, distance from the dental school, and number of prescribed medications. Adherence to follow-up appointments was categorized as “Never,” “Once,” “Intermittent,” and “Always.” Statistical analyses included Fisher’s exact tests and multinomial logistic regression model.
Results:
Only 3.6% of patients consistently adhered to follow-up recommendations, while 6.7% never attended any follow-up appointments. Insurance type and provider level were significantly associated with follow-up adherence. Medicaid patients had the lowest follow-up rates, while patients treated by predoctoral students demonstrated significantly higher follow-up attendance compared to those treated by faculty or graduate students (OR = 5.70, p < 0.001). Gender, clinic type, and mental health status were not significantly associated with follow-up behavior.
Conclusion:
Strict adherence to follow-up behavior was rare, and patients seen by predoctoral students and not on Medicaid had higher attendance to follow-up appointments in this dental school sample.
Details
- Title: Subtitle
- Frequency of returns to maintenance and factors affecting follow-up in complete denture patients at the University of Iowa
- Creators
- Ahmed Elbaz
- Contributors
- Leonardo Marchini (Advisor)Tarek El-Kerdani (Committee Member)Shareef Dabdoub (Committee Member)Franciele Floriani (Committee Member)
- Resource Type
- Thesis
- Degree Awarded
- Master of Science (MS), University of Iowa
- Degree in
- Oral Science (Prosthodontics)
- Date degree season
- Spring 2025
- DOI
- 10.25820/etd.007995
- Publisher
- University of Iowa
- Number of pages
- viii, 41pages
- Copyright
- Copyright 2025 Ahmed Elbaz
- Language
- English
- Date submitted
- 04/04/2025
- Description illustrations
- illustrations, tables
- Description bibliographic
- Includes bibliographical references (pages 39-41).
- Public Abstract (ETD)
- Complete dentures are a common treatment for people who have lost all their natural teeth. However, the success of this treatment depends not just on getting the dentures, but also on regular check-ups afterward. The aim was to identify the factors influence whether patients return for these important follow-up visits. This study analyzed follow-up adherence among 608 patients who received complete dentures at the University of Iowa College of Dentistry between 2016 and 2021. Results indicated that only 4% of patients attended regular follow-up appointments as recommended, while 7% did not return for any post-treatment visits. Statistical analysis identified insurance type and provider experience as key determinants of follow-up compliance. Patients with Medicaid were significantly less likely to return for follow-ups, whereas those treated by dental students demonstrated higher adherence compared to those treated by faculty or experienced practitioners. These findings highlight the need for targeted interventions to improve follow-up retention, particularly among Medicaid patients.
- Academic Unit
- Oral Pathology, Radiology and Medicine
- Record Identifier
- 9984830729202771
Metrics
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