To evaluate and compare the effect of diabetes and complete denture wearing on the occurrence of <i>Mucor</i> isolates in edentulous geriatric patients

Objectives: The objective of this study was to explore the impact of diabetes and complete denture use on the presence of Mucor isolates in edentulous geriatric patients. Material and Methods: Intraoral swab samples were collected using a sterile culture device, focusing on the center of the hard palate for all patient groups. Immediately after collection, each sample was immersed in a sterile culture-collecting device containing normal saline to prevent swab drying. Subsequently, these swabs were isolated and cultured in Sabouraud’s dextrose agar medium at a temperature range of 25–30°C. Results: Statistical analysis using the Chi-square test revealed no Mucor isolates in any of the four groups. However, the combination of diabetes and complete denture use led to the isolation of other commensal fungi in 65% of samples, contrasting with the non-diabetic, non-denture-wearing group where this occurrence was only 5%. Conclusion: The study concluded that there was no observable correlation between the occurrence of Mucor isolates in edentulous geriatric patients, irrespective of complete denture use, or diabetic status. Nevertheless, the coexistence of diabetes and complete denture use significantly increased the presence of opportunistic fungi in the oral cavity compared to non-diabetic, non-denture-wearing patients.