Denturists and oral health in the aged

The activities of denturists have been the source of annoyance and alarm to dentists. The dental profession has been unsuccessful in curtailing the prosthodontic service provided by denturists directly to the public despite frequent warnings about the risk to oral health. In many countries denturists have become a legitimate part of the health service in competition with dentists. This article explains the historic circumstances leading to the widespread acceptance of denturists in Canada in contrast to the rejection of these services in Great Britain. It demonstrates that dentists generally were not opposed to an alternative complete denture service and that there is little evidence of a serious threat to the oral health from the complete dentures made by denturists.