A comparison of patient satisfaction between treatment with conventional complete dentures and overdentures in the elderly: a literature review

Background:It has been stated that mandibular overdentures are more satisfactory than conventional dentures, but problems relating to the use of retrospective ratings, lack of control group and sequential provision of treatment may compromise the findings.Objective:To establish a comparison between treatment with conventional complete dentures and implant-retained overdentures in elderly patients by conducting a literature review.Materials and methods:A search of English language peer-review literature was completed using Medline up to 2008 focusing on evidence-based research. Randomised clinical trials (RCTs) and longitudinal prospective studies were favoured in the review, using a general hierarchical classification. Articles that did not focus exclusively on the comparison of patient satisfaction between complete dentures and overdentures were excluded from further evaluation. The last search was conducted in February 2008. Key terms included quality of life, patient satisfaction, edentulism, complete denture and overdenture.Results:Among the 90 articles found in the initial search, 27 met the inclusion criteria. This included 18 RCTs and eight prospective and one cohort study. Most of the articles stated superiority of the mandibular implant-retained overdenture therapy over the conventional complete denture regarding patient satisfaction and quality of life.Conclusion:Even with implant treatment presenting higher patient satisfaction and improvement of quality of life, it was not possible to establish a direct comparison between the studies due to differences in adopted methodologies.

Mobility, Aesthetic, Implants, and Satisfaction of the Ocular Prostheses Wearers

During the process of facial rehabilitation, the mobility of ocular prostheses must be considered. Whereas some factors depend exclusively on the dentist, such as molding techniques and selection of material for denture construction, regarding ocular rehabilitation, factors, such as type of surgery, whether to adopt implants, and the use of lubricants, deserve special attention owing to their integration and their association with other factors pertaining exclusively to the patient. To establish harmony, and with the intention of aiding the dentist, after a discerning evaluation, the authors of this study report the factors that provide greater or less mobility to ocular prostheses and conceal the prosthesis in a more natural way, thereby contributing toward achieving a favorable aesthetic result in rehabilitations.

Integrando técnicas e procedimentos de gestão de operações: uma aplicação em um banco comercial Brasileiro de grande porte

Na conjuntura atual, eliminação de custos, satisfação dos clientes e aumento da produtividade é algo, no mínimo, desejável para as organizações. Exatamente neste viés, a presente pesquisa aborda a utilização de técnicas e filosofias amplamente abordadas e difundidas em gestão de operações; porém, em vez de usá-las isoladamente, propõe-se sua utilização conjunta. Neste contexto, integram-se o Mapeamento de Processos, a Gestão da Capacidade, a Teoria das Restrições (TOC) e o Empowerment. Por meio de entrevistas junto aos funcionários, da coleta de dados e da observação direta do processo produtivo, foi possível mapear os processos, definir as capacidades, identificar os gargalos, levantar o nível de maturidade dos funcionários e propor soluções por meio da aplicação do Empowerment. Como resultado, contatou-se a possibilidade de melhoria no sistema de concessão de créditos da empresa pesquisada (Banco), possibilitando um aumento da produtividade em 27,78% e uma redução de custos da ordem de 4,5 milhões de reais.