Indonesian Journal of Dental Medicine
Vol. 9 No. 2 (2026): Indonesian Journal of Dental Medicine

Information sources and plaque awareness on denture cleaning practices among denture wearers

Adrianto Budiharjo (School of Dental Medicine, Universitas Ciputra Surabaya, Surabaya)
Olivia Budihargono (School of Dental Medicine, Universitas Ciputra Surabaya, Surabaya)



Article Info

Publish Date
06 Jul 2026

Abstract

Background: Denture hygiene is essential for preventing denture stomatitis. Denture cleaning practices may be influenced by health information sources and awareness of denture plaque accumulation. Purpose: To examine the plaque awareness and information sources on denture cleaning practices among denture wearers. Methods: A cross-sectional survey was conducted using a structured questionnaire among 58 denture users aged 65 years and older in Surabaya. Participants were removable denture wearers using acrylic dentures, flexible dentures, or metal framework dentures for at least six months. Denture cleaning practices were categorized into three levels: poor (cleaning dentures using water only or without a specific cleaning technique); moderate (cleaning dentures using a toothbrush with or without toothpaste); and good (cleaning dentures using specialized cleaning agents such as denture cleanser or liquid soap combined with mechanical brushing). Data were examined using descriptive statistics, chi-square analysis, and logistic regression, with p-value < 0.05 considered as significant. Results: Most respondents were aware of plaque accumulation (81.0%) and obtained cleaning information from dentists (91.4%). Cleaning practices were moderate (69.0%) and good (20.7%). Plaque awareness was significantly correlated with better cleaning practices (p=0.048). Logistic regression showed that aware respondents were 5.24 times more likely to perform adequate cleaning (95% CI: 1.00–27.35; p=0.049). Information source was not significantly correlated (p>0.05). Conclusion: Plaque awareness is significantly associated with denture cleaning practices among denture wearers. Educational strategies that enhance awareness of plaque-related risks may improve denture hygiene behaviours.

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Journal Info

Abbrev

IJDM

Publisher

Subject

Dentistry

Description

Indonesian Journal of Dental Medicine accepts original manuscripts in the many fields of dentistry, including research reports and literature reviews. The spread of fields include: Oral epidemiology, Oral health services research, Preventive dentistry, Oral health education and promotion, Clinical ...