In the western world osteomyelitis of the jaws is not frequently encountered these days. In order to establish the actual incidence a survey was conducted, based on the number of patients treated for osteomyelitis of the jaw at a Dutch university medical centre between 1996 and 2001. 44 patients were identified. Their symptoms, afflicted areas and specific types of osteomyelitis were recorded, and compared to the literature. The incidence of osteomyelitis at the university medical centre was found to be in line with other, similar medical centres in the western world (approximately 3-4 per 100.000 annually). However, since recent data from comparable centres are either of limited use or altogether lacking, no firm conclusions could be drawn. Although there appears to be a slight increase in incidence in recent years, there is no hard evidence to support this.