Prosthetic status and prosthetic needs among institutionalized geriatric individuals in Nashik City, Maharashtra: a descriptive study.

OBJECTIVES A descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted among institutionalized geriatric individuals in Nashik city, Maharashtra, to assess their prosthetic status and needs. MATERIALS AND METHODS The oral examination of the study subjects was carried out using Basic Oral Health Surveys, WHO 1997 criteria. RESULTS A total of 160 individuals were included in the study of which 40 were females and 120 were males. A total of 55 (34.37%) study participants had some prosthesis at the time of examination, whereas 136 (85%) were in need of prosthesis. A total of 49 subjects (30.62%) needed complete dentures in both jaws. Around 26 (16.25%) of the subjects needed combination prosthesis. CONCLUSIONS The study concludes that the prosthetic status of the institutionalized geriatric individuals in Nashik city is poor with a higher unfulfilled prosthetic needs. A systematic strategy planning is needed to address these needs. CLINICAL SIGNIFICANCE There exists a higher unfulfilled prosthodontic need among institutionalized geriatric individuals in Nashik city.