Designing and Validating New Instruments to Measure Patient Satisfaction Regarding Removable Dentures (Hindi Version)

There is a need for affordable dental treatment modalities like removable dentures (RDs). This study aimed to assess the validity and reliability of newly developed instruments (questionnaires and indices) in Hindi to measure patient satisfaction with all types of RDs.

Phase one involved the translation of validated and tested German instruments in Hindi, followed by backward translation. Phase two involved testing the face validity of the pilot questionnaires through 3 rounds of cognitive interviews with 13 participants. Trained examiners conducted the interviews in the presence of an external observer. Phase three involved distributing 291 questionnaires to 179 participants. A total of 178 questionnaires were completed by the participants after one week but not more than three weeks. Construct validity was evaluated using factor analysis. The reliability and appropriateness of the items in the indices were assessed using the intraclass correlation coefficient and Cronbach's alpha.

The upper and lower jaw questionnaires had good face validity. Cronbach's alpha scores showed excellent reliability and consistency. The intraclass correlation coefficient values fell within the range of 0.72 to 0.95, indicating “moderate” to “excellent” reliability.

The developed Hindi versions of the upper and lower jaw questionnaires and indices to study patient satisfaction with RDs were valid and reliable. These questionnaires can be applied in the clinical setting to test patient satisfaction with removable dentures. They can be used for research and can be integrated into routine patient assessment. Based on patient satisfaction, treatment modifications can be done in the follow-up visits. Further studies can be conducted to include more samples from various populations.

Patient satisfaction outcome measures are the most frequently used subjective assessments for dental treatments in clinical dentistry. The Hindi version of the upper and lower jaw questionnaire and index shows valid and reliable outcomes. This questionnaire can be used to measure patient satisfaction with all types of removable dentures and can be used for routine patient assessment.