<b>Adherence to Recall Visits among Removable Partial Denture Wearers: Motivations, Limitations, and Implications</b>

Abstract

Background: New denture wearers are reported to seek professional advice more frequently than individuals with longer denture experience. It is unclear, however, whether this translates into better adherence to recommended recall visits, which are critical for maintaining oral health. Objective: To determine whether new denture wearers are more likely to maintain regular recall visits compared to those with longer-term use of removable partial dentures (RPDs). Methods: This cohort study was conducted over two years and included consecutive patients seeking RPDs at four teaching hospitals in Nigeria: Lagos, Benin, Maiduguri, and Kano. Data on demographics and socioeconomic status were collected using an interviewer-administered questionnaire (Questionnaire 1). Information on recall visits, factors influencing maintenance attendance, and motivators for compliance were gathered using a second questionnaire (Questionnaire 2). Participants were categorized into three groups: new RPD wearers (0–2 years), old denture wearers (>2 to <4 years), and older denture wearers (≥4 years). Data were analyzed using SPSS version 20. Results: Of the 381 participants (mean age: 46.25 ± 17.81 years; 50.7% male), only 132 (34.6%) attended one or more recall visits after denture insertion. No significant associations were found between sociodemographic variables and recall attendance. However, frequency of brushing and noticing changes in the oral mucosa were significantly associated with recall visits (p = 0.026 and p = 0.01, respectively). Conclusion: This study found that both new and long-term removable partial denture wearers showed low adherence to recall visits, with no significant difference between the groups. The primary reasons for attending recall visits were to prevent further tooth loss and to follow the doctor's instructions, while the main barriers were a lack of instruction and a perceived lack of necessity. The most actionable finding is that 42% of non-attendees reported simply not being instructed to return for recall visits, representing a clear target for quality improvement. Additionally, noticing changes in the oral mucosa was linked to even lower adherence, highlighting poor dental health and denture maintenance-seeking behavior among participants. The null hypothesis remained unchallenged. Keywords: Removable, partial, denture, recall visit, adherence, motivation