Frequency and suppliers of removable dentures in Finland in 1983

The frequency of removable dentures and their suppliers were surveyed in March 1983 by interviewing a sample comprising 957 persons drawn to cover the total Finnish population aged 15 yr and over. The interviews revealed that there were 328 denture wearers in this sample (34.3%). The age-standardized rates were 39.7% for denture wearers and 20.4% for those wearing full dentures in both jaws. The rates for complete edentulousness, removable partial dentures of some kind and only partial denture wearing were 21.3%, 10.3% and 6.9%, respectively. Almost all of the removable denture wearers had a denture in the maxilla (97%); 62% had one in the mandible. Dental technicians with a special degree have the right to supply full dentures direct to clients in Finland. Dentists supplied 45% and dental technicians 53% of the full dentures surveyed. The study revealed a contradiction between the legal rights of dental technicians to supply dentures direct to clients and the current practice. The choice of the supplier of a removable denture showed no significant correlation with the education and income of denture wearers. The high frequency of dentures and the misconceptions regarding the supplying of them call for improvement in oral health education.