In this issue Dr David Radford argues that denture identification marking should be standard practice.

With an ageing population and increasing diagnosis of dementia there is a need for routine marking of dentures in general dental practice for certain groups of patients, as David stresses: 'The upset and loss of self-esteem for the patient who loses their denture is immeasurable. Often as dentists we tend to underplay the intimacy of a prosthesis, however, we all recognise the difficulty if it is misplaced or unidentified.'

Denture identification marking is a simple procedure but potentially could improve the quality of life for the patient: 'For replacement dentures I would much prefer to adopt a copy denture procedure for an elderly, frail and possibly confused patient in a nursing home rather than start from scratch.' The national audit established that the cost from the laboratory is a reasonable £5 per prosthesis, but David questions: 'Is the dentist going to go the extra mile and take a reduction of income from the 12 UDAs that is received for the total provision of care for that patient?'

The development of this opinion article came from David's involvement in dental education. Amrita Kalyan, who was a final year student on the Hygiene and Therapy programme at the University of Portsmouth Dental Academy, undertook a literature review and local audit of laboratory practice as part of her module on evidence-based dentistry. David said: 'Her enthusiasm for the subject was sparked by the outreach programme of the Academy in Alternative Clinical Environments with her visits to local nursing homes and recognising the problem of lost and muddled dentures. Her study was subsequently expanded to cover a wider national sample.' It is hoped this article persuades leaders and negotiators to consider funding for this cost effective procedure and encourages dentists and clinical dental technicians to revisit denture marking in their own practices.

Did you know? David collects British military collar badges and finds some of their craftsmanship akin to the finest prosthodontic technical work. He also has an allotment and grows everything from figs to black kale.