#2

"Unmet needs for denture care among the edentulous population are so pervasive as to present a serious public health problem.... Approximately 13 million people, need to have at least one full denture constructed. Approximately one fourth of all persons between the ages of sixty five and seventy five need to have at least one full denture constructed. While much of the material presented below is statistical, its meaning has been emphasized by a Congressional subcommittee which recently addressed these problems with respect to the elderly."

"..the most important level on which these problems and recommendations can be considered is on the human level. ..people ..in human terms, the high cost of medical appliances and the widespread abuses mean that many of our 22 million elderly people, who have contributed more to the nation than any other segment of the population, are now suffering tremendous hardships."