PowerPoint Handout

Module:  Care of Prostheses and Appliances  (revised 2/12)
Competency V-5: Care for the edentulous patient with a dental prostheses and/or oral appliance.
Facilitator: Mould  
Primary Resources: Wilkins 10th Ed, Chapter 29 & 50; Mosby's DH Text  2nd Ed. - Ch 30
Supplemental Resources: Article: Denture Hygiene: A Review and Update  
Key Terms:

Learning Objectives

1. Define each key term,

2. Differentiate between a fixed and removable prosthesis,

3. Compare the components of a complete denture, an overdenture, and a partial denture,

4. Differentiate between the dental hygienist's care procedures for removable prosthesis and fixed prosthesis,

5. Explain plaque and debris removal techniques and devices for at-home care of fixed and removable dental prosthesis and the oral tissues involved, 

6. Describe the safest and most efficient denture cleaning agents,

7. Describe the procedure for preventing cross-contamination when a dental hygienist is receiving a removable prosthesis,

8. Compare home remedies for cleaning dentures to commercially prepared cleaning agents,

9. Explain precautions related to brushing removable prosthesis,

Learning Activities

1. Interview a friend or family members who wear removable partial or complete dentures and ask what they use to clean their dentures and how often they schedule to see a dentist.

2. Visit the dental isle of a drug store or "super center" and compare the oral hygiene aids and cleansers that are available to a patient with both fixed and removable dental prostheses or appliances. Make a list of available products and bring to class for discussion.

3.  Practice explaining the care of a removable prosthesis or appliance in a simulated patient encounter.

4. Demonstrate how you will instruct a patient to brush their removable prosthesis or appliance.

Skills (*see DH 145 Process Eval Workbook)

1. Demonstrate the proper handling and professional cleaning of a removable dental prosthesis in the clinic.

2. Demonstrate the proper oral hygiene instruction for a patient with a fixed dental prosthesis.    

Problem Solving

1. You are brushing a patient's denture over the sink and it slips, falls, and breaks. What do you do? How could this have been avoided?

2. A patient presents with the complaint that his wife says he has very bad halitosis. He wears dentures and ask you what he should do. What specific recommendations would you give him? 

3. A patient presents with a complete maxillary denture and a mandibular partial replacing teeth #19, #22, #24, #25, and #29. She ask for your recommendations for taking care of her new appliances. What would you base these recommendations on? What questions might you ask? What specific routine would you recommend for this patient to use at home for cleaning the appliances?