The geriatric population in many parts of the United States is underserved by dentistry. Socioeconomic problems, difficult access to dental facilities, and confusion about the need for dental care often prevent the elderly from seeking dental service. Because dental diseases are not life threatening or outwardly disabling, administrators of institutions for the elderly and health legislators place a low priority on dental care for the elderly. These factors working in concert with the insidious, progressive, and cummulative nature of denture diseases contribute to the poor dental health experienced by some segments of the geriatric population. Dentistry has the manpower and the technology to improve the oral health of the elderly, but society must be made aware of the importance of dental health in the total health of elderly persons in order that dentistry be given a chance to achieve that goal.