Gibson, B.J. orcid.org/0000-0003-1413-4950, Baker, S.R. orcid.org/0000-0002-2861-451X, Broomhead, T. orcid.org/0000-0003-1925-891X et al. (4 more authors) (2024) ‘It's like being in a tunnel’: Understanding the patient journey from tooth loss to life with removable dentures. Journal of Dentistry, 145. 104964. ISSN 0300-5712
Abstract
Introduction
The aim of this study was to conceptualise the key stages of the patient journey in the provision of a new denture and examine the factors leading to successful patient-related outcomes.
Methods
Two partially dentate patient samples were included: (i) Denture wearers - patients who had a denture fitted within the previous five years and (ii) New dentures - patients receiving treatment for a new or replacement denture. The methods involved direct targeted participant observations of the denture fitting process, debriefing interviews and a follow-up focus group exploring the patient journey. Data were analysed through the use of phenomenology and grounded theory.
Results
Interviews were completed with twenty participants of the denture-wearing sample (11 males and nine females, age range 22 to 86 years). Thirteen participants were included in the treatment journey sample in two primary care settings (six males and seven females, age range 55 to 101 years). Tooth loss and recovery was described as being in an ‘emotional tunnel’ resulting from ‘bodyphonic processes’ associated with tooth loss. ‘Bodyphonia’ subsequently became the context for ‘taking control’ and ‘managing disclosure’ when living with a removable denture. Different courses through this process can be readily observed, moderated by different variables (i.e., previous experience, working knowledge, a good fit, the treatment alliance, negotiated compromises and bounded responsibility).
Conclusions
An ‘integrating framework’ that seeks to describe the patient journey from the experience of tooth loss to recovery with a denture is proposed. This framework could be used to aid development of a clinical pathway to guide treatment options.
Clinical Significance
This paper conceptualises the patient journey. It stresses the importance of understanding the stages patients go through and highlights that for the dental team, the try-in stage is perhaps the best stage to give information about the denture and plans for continued care.
Metadata
Item Type: | Article |
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Authors/Creators: |
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Copyright, Publisher and Additional Information: | © 2024 The Authors. Published by Elsevier Ltd. This is an open access article under the CC BY-NC-ND license (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/bync-nd/4.0/). |
Keywords: | Denture; Emotions; Partial; Personal narratives; Qualitative research; Removable |
Dates: |
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Institution: | The University of Sheffield |
Academic Units: | The University of Sheffield > Faculty of Medicine, Dentistry and Health (Sheffield) > School of Clinical Dentistry (Sheffield) |
Depositing User: | Symplectic Sheffield |
Date Deposited: | 17 Apr 2024 09:34 |
Last Modified: | 17 Apr 2024 09:34 |
Status: | Published |
Publisher: | Elsevier BV |
Refereed: | Yes |
Identification Number: | 10.1016/j.jdent.2024.104964 |
Related URLs: | |
Open Archives Initiative ID (OAI ID): | oai:eprints.whiterose.ac.uk:211585 |