Date of Completion

6-28-2018

Embargo Period

6-20-2020

Advisors

Dr. J. Robert Kelly, Dr. Martin Freilich, Dr. Robert H. Aseltine Jr., Dr. Avinash Bidra, Prof. Jocelyne Feine

Field of Study

Dental Science

Degree

Master of Dental Science

Open Access

Open Access

Abstract

Objectives: 1) To evaluate the effect of xerostomia and satisfaction with xerostomia therapies on patients’ oral health related quality of life (OHQoL); 2) To evaluate patients’ willingness-to-adopt and willingness-to-pay for an artificial implantable salivary gland.

Methods: A survey was conducted to obtain patients’ satisfaction with current xerostomia management strategies, effect of Xerostomia on their oral and general health, willingness to adopt an artificial salivary gland pump, and willingness-to-pay for the implantable device.

Results: A total of 107 individuals responded through either a paper-based questionnaire or online survey. Individuals with Sjögren’s syndrome and Radiation-related xerostomia had significantly poorer OHQoL compared to other etiologies (p≤0.0001). Majority of the respondents (n=73) were either moderately or extremely dissatisfied with xerostomia therapies that they were currently using. Lower satisfaction with therapies was also significantly associated with poorer OHQoL (p

Conclusions: Individuals with xerostomia symptoms are largely dissatisfied with currently available xerostomia management strategies, which negatively affects their oral health related quality of life. The results of this study indicate that individuals living with xerostomia would be willing to adopt a dental implant based implantable salivary gland as a new treatment modality.

Major Advisor

Dr. J. Robert kelly

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