In 1970 an interview study was conducted which revealed that 23% of the adult population of Finland was edentulous. The sample comprised 1000 Finns aged 15 years and over and was rendered representative of the entire population by means of stratified random sampling. All interviews were performed by the commercial poll organization Suomen Gallup. In 1980 the same questions were presented to a new representative sample of equal size. A comparison of the results revealed that the frequency of edentulousness in the total population was exactly the same as in 1970. A decrease had occurred in age groups up to 49 years whereas in the oldest age group of over 64 years the frequency of edentulousness had further increased from 54% in 1970 to 67% in 1980. Insufficient periodontal treatment was suggested as one of the main reasons for frequent loss of teeth at advanced age. The comparison further revealed that edentulous subjects more often used removable dentures in 1980 than in 1970. It would seem that having neither natural nor artificial teeth has become socially less acceptable. The frequency of removable partial dentures had decreased.