Overview of research needs and opportunities for improving the oral health of aging veterans.

This article summarizes health services research recommendations from and similarities of selected oral health research agendas. Themes of research needs and opportunities emphasize the need for development of more comprehensive measures of oral health and functioning, investigations of the effects of improved access on increased utilization and ultimately on oral health, and studies of the relationship between oral health and general health. In addition, future needs include enhanced technology assessment and studies of science/technology transfer into oral health practice, development of better measures and studies of health outcomes, and investigations of the effects of delivery system variables on costs, productivity, and services. Postconference review and input from The Department of Veterans Affairs providers and patient and policymaker groups is recommended to complete the development of an agenda. Adequate funding, trained research personnel, and a commitment to oral health services research are needed to ensure implementation.