SUMMARY1. Elderly persons living in their own homes have over the past 20 years tended to retain an increased number of natural teeth. This tendency is confirmed especially in the ongoing studies by Tor Österberg, nr 12 and 13. These studies indicate a decreasing edentulous part of the 70‐year old cohorts from 1971, 1976 and 1981.2. Elderly persons dependent on institutional care are edentulous in as high degree today as 20 years ago. According to this criterion, therefore, their dental health has not improved.3. Dentures worn by elderly persons frequently are defective in fit and function. For the general wellbeing and health in later life, mastication of a well‐balanced diet and lack of discomfort from denture‐bearing mucosal surfaces are important. Information in this respect and measures to improve masticating function are greatly needed among persons in the higher age groups, whether living at home or in institutional care.4. Caries activity is increasing among elderly persons.5. Periodontitis (loosening of the teeth) is very frequently found in elderly persons.6. Oral hygiene requires improvement.7. Among the elderly, living in their own homes or in institutions, the need for odontologic care is objectively great, but the demands currently made are remarkably low.8. Of the aged in institutional care, about 75 per cent are suitable for measures of oral care.A change in dental health seems to be slowly taking place among the elderly, in that increasing numbers keep more of their own teeth longer in life. The demands made by the high age groups on the odontologic services, though increasing, are still very low relative to the objective and consequently great accumulated needs. This contrast is especially pronounced among geriatric patients in institutions.An aggressive, searching approach to both restorative and preventive oral care in the higher age groups is of pressing importance if optimum conditions for eating and chewing late in life are to be achieved. For timely counteraction of the tendency to a more passive attitude t o dental care that commonly accompanies rising age, information on these matters should be energetically disseminated among persons due for retirement or new‐l y