Three hundred and six residents of Würzburg old people's homes (average age: 81 years) were interviewed and examined with regard to their dentures and need for treatment as well as their oral hygiene. Most of the subjects had removable dentures. Oral symptoms, restricted masticatory ability and difficulties with the dentures were reported by only about one third of the senior citizens, although the caries and periodontopathy morbidity was high and considerable defects were found in the crowns, bridges and dentures. Similarly, the subjects own reports on their oral care regimen was contradicted by the poor oral and denture hygiene observed in fact. Neither was there assistance in oral hygiene from the nursing staff nor systematic professional care. Altogether, there is a great need for dental prosthetic treatment in the subjects of this study.