PURPOSE: The aim of the study was to evaluate associations among prosthetic status, socioeconomic factors, and general health of subjects aged 55 to 79 years. The data were taken from the Study of Health in Pomerania (SHIP). MATERIALS AND METHODS: Socioeconomic information (age, sex, education level), medical information (number of diseases), and details on smoking and alcohol consumption were obtained. Prosthetic status in the maxilla and mandible was classified into complete denture (CD), removable partial denture (RPD), > or = 10 natural teeth or teeth replaced with fixed prosthodontics (10T+), and < or = nine natural teeth including fixed prosthodontics (9T-). RESULTS: The data of 1,877 subjects were evaluated. CDs in the maxilla were more frequent than in the mandible. RPDs were more frequent in the mandible and in the group aged 65 to 74 years. Of the individuals with a low education level, 47% had a CD in the maxilla, and only 21% had 10T+. However, of subjects with a high education level, 22% had a CD in the maxilla, and 54% had 10T+. The odds ratio of having a CD in the maxilla increased to 11.9 at the age of 75 to 79 years, compared to 0.6 at the age of 55 to 59 years. Logistic regression analyses showed that the risk of wearing a CD was significantly associated with old age, low education level, low income, smoking, and alcohol abuse, whereas the number of diseases (used as an indicator of general health) was not. CONCLUSION: Alcohol abuse, smoking, low education level, low income, and old age were significant predictors of wearing CDs.