Dentures in a Care Home: Ask About Name Marking

If you wear dentures and are moving into a care home, ask about identification during the mouth-care assessment. West Suffolk’s guidance says staff should check whether dentures, including partial dentures, are marked and offer help if they are not, with the resident’s permission.¹

Ask about existing dentures

Try: “Can we check whether my dentures have a name marking? With my permission, who can help arrange identification if they are unmarked?”

Ask staff or your dental team how they will check that the marking remains legible and whom to contact if it needs renewing. West Suffolk recommends periodic checks.¹

Ask when new dentures are planned

Try: “Can the dental team arrange appropriate name marking when the lab makes my new dentures?”

The leaflet describes permanent marking during manufacture. Marking helps staff recognize a resident’s dentures and return them if lost.¹

Keep the agreed arrangements with your mouth-care notes.

Is It My Breath? includes a visit script. Use it to organize denture questions and the team’s answers. See the book.