The Prevalence Of Teeth Replacement Among Edentulous Patients Attending University Of Rwanda Polyclinic

Description

Despite reduced tooth loss rates, the need for prosthodontic treatment remains significant to improve appearance, speech, mastication, confidence, and psychological well-being. However, edentulous remains prevalent at 54.9% in Rwanda, with limited dental laboratories, materials, and skilled personnel. The available resources are underutilized, as many edentulous individuals lack teeth replacement, leading to aesthetic, functional, and health concerns like TMJ pain and facial disfigurement.
This retrospective descriptive study aimed to assess the prevalence of teeth replacement among patients attending the University of Rwanda Polyclinic. Data from 486 medical files (January 2018–January 2020) were analyzed using SPSS 25. Among 267 patients with tooth loss, only 44 (16.48%) received prostheses, mostly acrylic removable partial dentures (43) and one complete denture. The findings reveal high tooth loss prevalence and low replacement rates.
We recommend to enhance oral health infrastructure, increasing skilled labor in dental clinics and labs, and raising awareness of the benefits of teeth replacement.