Abstract: A process for preparing a water-soluble, radio-opaque paint for marking acrylic resin dental stents includes the steps of preparing a solution comprising 50 ml of ethanol, 6.4 grams of glycerol; 4.0 ml of benzaldehyde; 1.0 ml of glacial acetic acid, and 0.15 grams of hydroxy propyl cellulose. A radio-opaque powder, such as 50 grams of barium sulfate powder having a mean particle diameter of about 10 .mu.m, is then added to the solution. The solution is then mixed to obtain the paint, wherein the paint has a uniform dispersion of the radio-opaque powder. This paint may be used on dental stents to locate and guide placement of dental implants. The method may include the steps of preparing a water-soluble, radio-opaque paint for marking dental stents comprising the steps of preparing a solution described above; adding a radio-opaque powder, such as 50 grams of barium sulfate powder; and mixing the solution to obtain the paint, wherein the paint has a uniform dispersion of the radio-opaque powder.