Patient characteristics and refusal to participate in a head and neck cancer intervention trial: experience of two tertiary UK head and neck cancer centres.

Introduction: Randomised clinical trials are an essential component for robust clinical evaluation. They are expensive to deliver but can fail to achieve the required outcomes. This paper reports details of trial recruitment in a head and neck Patient Concerns Inventory intervention trial from two UK head and neck tertiary centres.

A randomised controlled trial of complete denture impression materials.

Objectives: There is continuing demand for non-implant prosthodontic treatment and yet there is a paucity of high quality Randomised Controlled Trial (RCT) evidence for best practice. The aim of this research was to provide evidence for best practice in prosthodontic impressions by comparing two impression materials in a double-blind, randomised, crossover, controlled, clinical trial.

Methods: Eighty-five patients were recruited, using published eligibility criteria, to the trial at Leeds Dental Institute, UK.

Cost-effectiveness of silicone and alginate impressions for complete dentures.

Objective: The aim of this study was to assess the cost effectiveness of silicone and alginate impressions for complete dentures.

Methods: Cost effectiveness analyses were undertaken alongside a UK single centre, double blind, controlled, crossover clinical trial. Taking the perspective of the healthcare sector, effectiveness is measured using the EuroQol (EQ-5D-3L) which provides a single index value for health status that may be combined with time to produce quality adjusted life years (QALYs); and Oral Health Impact Profile (OHIP-EDENT).

IMPROVDENT: improving dentures for patient benefit. A crossover randomised clinical trial comparing impression materials for complete dentures.

Background: According to the UK Adult Dental Health Survey (2009) 15% of adults aged 65-74, 30% aged 75-84 and 47% aged >85 years are edentulous and require complete dentures. Patients' quality of life and nutrition status are affected by poor dentures. The quality of the dental impression is the most important issue for improving the fit and comfort of new dentures.