The Denture Fit Notes Template

Falling dentures and stomatitis cases both challenge the fit note when patient instructions weren't documented. Below is a template for UK clinicians to paste into their PMS for any denture issue.

Why this denture fit (issue) template wins

• Lab work checked against prescription — defends if wrong shade or mould delivered.
• PIP-identified pressure areas adjusted at fit — prevents post-op ulceration and re-fit complaints.
• Patient instructions documented in detail (insertion, cleaning, overnight, adhesive) — defends stomatitis and damage claims.
• Patient acceptance documented at fit — defends aesthetic complaints later.
• Adjustments at fit recorded — defends "you didn't adjust the bite" claims.

The template (paste into your PMS notes field)

Paste the denture fit (issue) template below into your PMS notes field. Patient demographics are left out because your PMS already holds them.

DENTURE: [Complete upper / complete lower / RPD upper / RPD lower / immediate]
LAB: [Name]
RECEIVED CHECK: [Shade / mould / base material / clasps (RPD) / unit confirmed against prescription / MDR statement of conformity received: Y/N]

FIT SURFACE ASSESSMENT:
- Visual check: [No voids / no rough areas / smooth fitting surface]
- Pressure indicating paste (PIP): [Used Y/N — pressure areas identified and relieved]

INTRA-ORAL TRY-IN:
- Insertion: [Easy / requires modification — areas]
- Retention: [Good / acceptable / poor]
- Stability: [Stable in function / displaces on movement]
- Peripheral seal (complete denture): [Adequate / poor — areas]

OCCLUSAL ASSESSMENT:
- ICP / RCP: [Even bilateral contact / interferences identified]
- Lateral excursion L: [Balanced contact / working only / non-working interference]
- Lateral excursion R: [Same]
- Protrusive: [Anterior + posterior contact / posterior only]
- Adjustments at fit: [Recorded — where, what removed]

AESTHETIC ASSESSMENT:
- Patient shown in mirror: [Y]
- Patient verbalised approval: [Y / specific concerns addressed]
- Photo taken: [Y / N]

PATIENT INSTRUCTIONS (verbal + written leaflet given):
- Insertion / removal technique demonstrated
- Cleaning: brush with denture brush + non-abrasive cleaner (NOT regular toothpaste)
- Overnight storage: leave OUT (water bath) — reduces stomatitis risk
- Adhesive: [Recommend if needed / not needed / specific product]
- Adaptation period: 2-4 weeks normal — speech may be temporarily altered, soreness possible
- Diet: soft diet first 24-48h, gradually return to normal

RECALL:
- 24-hour or 1-week review booked
- Subsequent recall at 1 month
- Annual review for fit and stomatitis assessment thereafter

Try the denture fit (issue) note in the live demo → No account needed.

What good looks like — a worked example

The same denture fit (issue) template, completed for a realistic case.

DENTURE: Complete upper + complete lower
LAB: Generic Dental Lab
RECEIVED CHECK: Shade A2 confirmed, mould 6L. Light pink base with vein characterisation as prescribed. Both units confirmed against prescription. MDR statement of conformity received and filed.

FIT SURFACE ASSESSMENT:
- Visual check: No voids on either denture. Smooth fitting surfaces.
- PIP: Used on upper — minor pressure area on left maxillary tuberosity, relieved with acrylic bur.

INTRA-ORAL TRY-IN:
- Insertion: Easy. Upper seats with good suction. Lower seats with finger pressure.
- Retention: Upper — good suction (post-dam seal effective). Lower — acceptable (no significant adhesive required initially).
- Stability: Upper stable in function. Lower stable with tongue control and lip seal.
- Peripheral seal: Adequate upper. Slightly compromised lower lingually right side — bordered moulded at chair (added small amount of cold-cure acrylic, smoothed and polished).

OCCLUSAL ASSESSMENT:
- ICP / RCP: Even bilateral contact in RCP (the registered position). Articulating paper shows balanced contacts.
- Lateral excursion L: Balanced articulation — working and balancing contacts both present (anatomical teeth design).
- Lateral excursion R: Same — balanced.
- Protrusive: Anterior + posterior contact (balanced).
- Adjustments at fit: Minor relief of UL7 distopalatal cusp (slight interference on protrusion), polished.

AESTHETIC ASSESSMENT:
- Patient shown in mirror: Yes — multiple angles.
- Patient verbalised approval: Yes — pleased with appearance. Comments on slight diastema (as requested at jaw reg), shade looks natural.
- Photo taken: Yes.

PATIENT INSTRUCTIONS (verbal + written leaflet given):
- Insertion / removal demonstrated to patient, patient demonstrated back successfully.
- Cleaning: Denture brush + Polident denture cleaner (NOT regular toothpaste — abrasive).
- Overnight storage: Leave dentures OUT overnight in water bath. Discussed stomatitis risk reduction.
- Adhesive: Not needed initially given good fit. Discussed Fixodent if retention diminishes over time.
- Adaptation: 2-4 weeks normal. Speech may be slightly different first few days. Mild soreness possible.
- Diet: Soft diet 24-48h, gradually return to normal. Avoid hard/sticky foods initially.

RECALL:
- 1-week review booked
- 1-month review
- Annual review for fit and stomatitis assessment thereafter

Compliance: the medico-legal angle

• BSSPD Guidelines in Prosthetic Dentistry.
• MDR 2017 — statement of conformity received and filed (10-year retention).
• GDC Principle 4 — patient instructions documented sufficiently.
• Montgomery — patient acceptance recorded at fit moment.

Common documentation mistakes

• No patient instructions documented — stomatitis cases indefensible.
• Lab statement of conformity not received or not documented — MDR breach.
• No PIP check at fit — pressure areas cause ulceration and patient returns angry.
• Patient acceptance not documented — aesthetic disputes indefensible.
• No 1-week review booked — adjustment opportunity missed; patient adapts to bad fit, develops chronic issues.

Sources

• GDC Standards for the Dental Team, Principle 4: Maintain and protect patients’ information (accessed 18 October 2026)
• Montgomery v Lanarkshire Health Board (UK Supreme Court, 2015, UKSC 11) (accessed 18 October 2026)

Frequently asked questions

Patient leaflets for this treatment

• Your Guide to Dentures

Related dental note templates

Browse the full set of free dental notes templates.