Evaluation of the Suitability of The Established Standard Height of Occlusal Rim Blocks Among the Dental Clinicians in Makerere University Dental Hospital In Uganda

Abstract

There's a growing demand for better dental prosthetics that combine function, aesthetics, and comfort. The therapy for edentulous patients can be realized through the use of conventional Removable Complete Dentures (RCDs), implant-supported prostheses, and Computer-Aided Design and Computer-Aided Manufacturing (CADCAM). This study was aimed at evaluating the suitability of the established standard height of ORBs among the dental clinicians in Makerere University Dental Hospital in Uganda. This was a cross-sectional study employing a qualitative approach using purposive sampling. Fifteen (15) participants were selected across social demographics. Thematic data analysis revealed insights into the suitability of the established standard height of ORBs. Interviews were recorded and transcribed and themes were generated to draw deeper meaning for suitability. A qualitative package, Open code version 4.2.1 was used to generate themes from the interviews followed by an interpretation of the data generated, and the result was presented as text and table. The findings revealed a prevalent trend in Uganda where occlusal rim block heights often fall below international standards, emphasizing the need for a patient-centered and individualized approach. There's a positive shift towards new measurements, improving chair-side efficiency, and reducing appointment duration. The findings highlighted economic efficiency, minimizing material wastage, and positively impacting patient-reported outcomes. This study highlighted the need for tailored ORB guidelines for Ugandan edentulous patients for better treatment outcomes. This will save time during the registration stage and help to improve accuracy.