Effect of dentures and dietary advice on protein intake in older Thai adults with missing posterior occluding teeth

Objective: To compare the effectiveness of dentures with dietary advice and dentures alone on protein intake in older Thai adults. Background: Dentures combined with nutritional advice may improve protein intake in older adults with posterior tooth loss. However, evidence is limited, especially in developing countries. Methods: A randomised-control trial including 69 older adults with less than four pairs of posterior occluding teeth was conducted for 3 months. The experimental group received dentures and dietary advice based on the Health Belief Model (HBM); the control group received dentures alone. Three-day dietary records were collected and protein intake was assessed using INMUCAL-NUTRIENTS V.4.0 software at baseline, 1 month, and 3 months after the intervention. Data were analysed using a t-test, Mann-Whitney U test, chi-square test, and repeated-measure ANOVA. Results: Both groups reported significantly increased protein intake (control group = 0.4, 0.5, 0.6 g kg BW-1 d(-1) , intervention = 0.4, 0.6, 0.7 g kg BW-1 d(-1) , at baseline, 1 month and 3 months, respectively). However, participants in the experimental group had significantly higher total protein (36.3 vs. 39.8 g/d, P= .032) and animal protein intake (18.9 vs. 23.2g/day, P = .020) than those in the control group at 3 months after the intervention; plant protein intake was similar (10.9 vs. 11.5g/day, P = .923). In addition, the HBM scores of the experimental group were higher than those of the control group after the intervention (P < .001). Conclusion: Dentures combined with dietary advice significantly increased the total and animal protein intake of older people with posterior tooth loss more than dentures alone. To maintain optimal protein intake, dental practitioners should incorporate dietary advice when providing dental prostheses to older adults with posterior tooth loss.