A STUDY OF THE IMPACT OF SCREENING OR SELECTIVE RADIOGRAPHY ON THE TREATMENT AND POSTDELIVERY OUTCOME FOR EDENTULOUS PATIENTS

Objective. The purpose of this study was to assess the impact of radio graphic findings on complete denture treatment and on the postdelivery course of those patients who had pretreatment radiographs (the screen ing group) and those who did not (the selection group). Method. In tot al, 375 cases were randomly selected by systematic sampling. Data coll ected included patient demographic information and denture history, pr edenture fabrication radiographic findings, and postdenture delivery c omplaints.Results. Of the screening patients, 100% had pretreatment ra diographs made; this compared with 13.5% of the selection patients. In the screening group, 68.3% of patients had one or more positive radio graphic findings recorded. Of the screening patients, 8.3% received tr eatment before denture fabrication; this compared with 1.2% of the sel ection patients. Of the 375 cases, 2 screening patients had postdelive ry complaints that required management other than denture adjustment. Conclusion. The results indicate that there is weak scientific support for the guideline recommending routine pretreatment radiography for n ew denture patients.