The need in dental care was analyzed basing on the results of examinations of 1806 representatives of the older age groups. Only 1.6% of the examinees, however, needs to consult a dentist, the mean CDR (carious, decayed, removed teeth) index being 15.4, with a trend to an increase with age. The proportion of toothless subjects is high. A high incidence of carious teeth means that elderly and senile subjects are in need of all types of dental care. The diagnosis and treatment are difficult in this patient population because of age-specific changes in dental tissues.