Oral perception and oral motor ability were assessed in edentulous patients with stroke, Parkinson's disease, and an age and gender matched control group. Standard stereognosis and oral motor ability tests were performed, with and without complete dentures in situ. Statistical comparisons were made using ANOVA, Levene's test and paired t-tests. Stroke patients had significantly poorer stereognostic measures than Parkinson's disease patients and controls (P < 0.02). Stereognostic measures were better in all groups when dentures were worn. There were no differences in oral motor ability between groups. Oral stereognosis was significantly impaired in stroke patients. Oral stereognostic ability was better in all groups when dentures were worn. The oral motor ability test lacked the sensitivity to detect differences in motor ability between experimental groups. Edentulous patients with stroke should be encouraged to wear dentures during the rehabilitation phase as oral stereognosis is then less impaired.