Multiple Risk Factors of Candida Albicans Associated Denture Stomatitis

Background and Objectives: Opportunistic oral fungal infections have spread, especially in denture wearers. Denture stomatitis (DS) is a common inflammatory reaction with multifactorial etiology. It is usually associated with Candida species, particularly Candida albicans, due to its high virulence, ability to adhere and form biofilms on oral cavity tissues and denture surfaces. This study highlights the risk factors of Candida albicans-associated denture stomatitis. The study was carried out at Prosthodontics Departments at the Faculty of Dentistry- Sana’a University, Sana’a city - Yemen.

Study design: The study group consisted of 288 denture wearers suffering from DS. Data including demographic data of the patients, clinical information, and risk factors of DS recorded in predesigned questionnaire.

Result: There was a significance association between male (OR=2.33, p< 0.001), older age patients (OR=6.8, p< 0.001), denture poor fitness (OR=8.2, p< 0.001), older age denture (OR=14.6, p< 0.001), denture manufacturers under supervision of general dentist (OR=2.9, p< 0.001), non-ideal denture quality (OR=4.8, p< 0.001), irregular denture cleaning (OR=2.1, p< 0.001), and often overnight denture wear (OR=1.7, p=0.04).

Conclusion: Management of predisposing risk factors is key in order to prevent recurrence of DS. Treatment methods may consist of: treatment of any underlying systemic risk factors, improvement in the fit of existing dentures, replacement of existing dentures, improved denture hygiene.

Keywords: Candida albicans-associated denture stomatitis; Denture; Ds risk factors; Sana’a city; Yemen