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Abstract

OBJECTIVES
To evaluate the perceptions, attitudes, and practices of edentulous patients regarding the maintenance and hygiene of complete denture prostheses.
METHODOLOGY
A Cross-sectional descriptive design was conducted at the Department of Prosthodontics, Islamic International Dental Hospital, from May to October 2023. The sample size of 200 edentulous patients was calculated to achieve a 90% confidence interval with a 5% margin of error. The data collection procedure followed a structured process to ensure that relevant and accurate information was gathered from the study participants. The questionnaire was divided into two main sections: Section 1, which collected demographic data (e.g., age, education level, and socioeconomic status), and Section 2, which included information about the number of years the patient had worn dentures and focused on the patient’s perceptions of maintaining their complete denture prostheses. It also gathered information on their cleaning habits, the frequency of professional cleaning, and their source of information regarding denture care. Data analysis was performed using IBM SPSS Statistics 23 software.RESULTSMost patients self-clean their dentures daily, with the primary method of cleaning dentures at home being the use of soap and water. However, the percentage of professional cleaning was relatively low. There was a direct correlation between education level, income status and denture cleaning.CONCLUSIONThere are gaps in professional cleaning practices and patient education. While many participants engage in basic denture cleaning routines, the lack of consistent professional care and reliance on suboptimal cleaning methods underscore the need for targeted interventions to promote optimal denture hygiene.