Natural dentitions of elderly people are often reduced and the remaini
ng teeth are heavily restored. It is unknown whether they are satisfie
d or dissatisfied with this situation. To get more insight into this p
henomenon 320 dentate non-institutionalized elderly subjects were clin
ically examined and interviewed by means of a questionnaire. Analysis
of the data showed that only 13% of the subjects had at least a comple
te dentition from the right first molar to the left first molar; 50% h
ad less than four occlusal units, 39% of the subjects were wearing a r
emovable partial denture. Ninety per cent of the subjects was satisfie
d with the dental state and nearly all subjects mentioned they could c
hew well (97%), despite the fact that 91% of the subjects mentioned th
ey had to deal with one or more dental discomforts. Satisfaction decre
ased significantly when the number of the occlusal units was reduced o
r a removable partial denture was present. The conclusion is drawn tha
t although the dentitions of the elderly are often reduced they are, i
n general, satisfied with their dental state.