Frequency of edentulism and identification marking of removable dentures in long‐term care units

There were two aims of this study. First, the frequency of edentulism and denture wearers among 464 residents in long-term units in Göteborg, Sweden, was evaluated. Second, the dentures were examined to determine whether they were marked correctly for identification. Of the subjects, 46% were edentulous in both jaws, and 13% in one jaw. Among complete denture wearers, 47% of the patients had at least one identification-marked denture. Removable partial dentures, worn by 26 subjects, were marked to a lesser extent (32%). Since there are many edentulous people among the elderly in most parts of the world we suggest that removable dentures are marked with the patient's name or identification number.