Denture loss in geriatric institutions in Israel and denture marking

Objectives: to investigate the phenomenon of denture loss in geriatric institutions in Israel: to estimate the extent and frequency of the phenomenon; to examine main causes; to assess norms and attitudes regarding denture marking. Methods: A telephonic questionnaire was held with 75 geriatric institutions in Israel. The number of residents in the sampled institutions is 6923, most of whom dwell in elderly citizens' homes. Results: 63% of the residents use dentures. 55 institutions (73.3%) reported events of denture loss in the last two years. The average annual loss incidence is 8%. The highest loss frequency was reported in hospital's geriatric rehabilitation units (44%). The main reasons for denture loss are the throwing away of the denture by the resident due to confusion (33%), forgetting where resident had put the denture (29%), or at the dining room (25%). Confusion was often attributed to low cognitive state and dementia. 47 (85.5%) institutions reported that most of the times the dentures had been found. 25% of the 55 institutions which reported denture loss found dentures with unknown owners. Denture marking is a norm in only 5 institutions , which expressed satisfaction with the marking procedures. 45 (64.2%) of the 70 institutions which do not mark dentures are willing to mark dentures and show positive attitude toward marking. Conclusions: Denture marking may decrease denture loss. Raising the awareness to this matter in geriatric institutions may increase the number of institutions which mark dentures. Staff guiding in the institutions and raised awareness may decrease denture loss in geriatric institutions. utions and raised awareness may decrease denture loss in geriatric institutions.