An assessment of demographics and tobacco habits on oral health related quality of life amongst complete denture wearers of Uttarakhand state

• Author Details:   
• Shradha Chauhan
• Varun Kumar ^*
• Jyotsna Seth

Background: Tobacco use is a significant public health concern, especially in India, where both smoking and smokeless forms are widely prevalent. Complete denture wearers, often older adults, are particularly susceptible to the negative effects of tobacco on oral health. Oral Health Related Quality of Life (OHRQoL) provides a subjective assessment of oral health’s impact on daily living, which traditional dental metrics often overlook.

Materials and Methods: This cross-sectional study was conducted among complete denture wearers above 40 years of age in Uttarakhand. A structured questionnaire, including the OHIP-14 scale, was used to assess participant’s OHRQoL in relation to their tobacco usage and demographic data. Inclusion criteria involved voluntary participants using complete dentures, while those uncooperative or unwilling to give consent were excluded.

Results: The study revealed that complete edentulism was more prevalent among females compared to males. Tobacco users, particularly smokers, had significantly higher OHIP-14 scores, indicating poorer OHRQoL. A notable proportion continued tobacco use despite experiencing edentulism. Male participants showed a lower awareness of the correlation between tobacco habits and OHRQoL.

Conclusion: There is a significant association between tobacco use and reduced oral health quality of life among complete denture wearers. These findings highlight the urgent need for targeted tobacco cessation programs and enhanced oral health education, particularly among older adults and males in Uttarakhand.