Background: Stroke is the third leading cause of death in the world after cardiovascular disease and cancer. This study aimed to investigate the oro-dental status and removable denture conditions in stroke survivors.
Methods: At the Department of Vascular Disease of the Neurological Clinic of the Polyclinic Hospital of Bari, from January 2003 to May 2008, 189 consecutive patients were examined who had had a stroke, to select removable denture wearers. The oro-dental examination was performed in a period between 12 and 60 months after the stroke and among these 189 patients, 60 were wearing a removable denture, but only 33 participated in our research. All the patients gave written informed consent.
Results: It was observed that in 42.4%, removable dentures needed to be remade, in 27.3%, they needed to be rebased and in 30.3%, they were adequate.
Conclusion: The role of oral health providers is fundamental in order to maintain good oral health and to avoid oral diseases in stroke patients. They should, indeed, monitor these patients with a regular follow-up after 1 month and every 3-4 months.