A study to isolate and speciate candida in complete denture wearers and its relation to denture hygiene

Objective: The purpose of this study was to determine the prevalence of denture induced stomatitis (DIS) in denture wearers in this part of India and to analyse the shift in epidemiology from Candida albicans to non albicans Candida (NAC) species and their antifungal resistance. Materials and Methods: Our study included 30 patients who were subjected to multiple choice questionnaire followed by clinical evaluation. The denture hygiene was assessed using a disclosing agent which was applied on fitting surface of maxillary dentures to assess the quantity of plaque. Based on Budtz- Jorgensen’s index, dentures were rated as: Excellent, Fair, Poor. The observations were tabulated and subjected to statistical analysis (chi- squared test). Oral candida colonization was assessed with concentrated oral rinse technique. The mouth rinse was collected and sent for further processing and sensitivity tests to widely used antifungal agents like voriconazole and fluconazole. Results: A significant correlation between DIS and poor denture hygiene (85%) and emerging resistance to common antifungal drugs was established. Conclusion: Our study indicated that the predisposing factors to DIS are associated with the method of denture hygiene and use of dentures while sleeping. Also, a shift in epidemiology towards antifungal resistant NAC is a worrying trend in context of their tendency to cause fungaemia.