It is argued that productive change in Veterans Administration (VA) dental services will require planned change, new models of dental care and education that respond to different needs and circumstances, creative partnerships between the VA and institutions, and perhaps a new conceptualization of dental care as a medical subspecialty. (MSE)

Despite some efforts, dental education is not succeeding at creating socially responsible, service-oriented professionals. Further research should be undertaken on the effectiveness of various forms of community health services, improving service to underserved populations, the perceptions of the underserved, clinical experience with health teams,…

At the University of Kentucky's comprehensive dental care clinic, student teams are headed by faculty members responsible for both patient and student management. A team coordinator and staff assistant are also assigned to each. Despite administrative difficulties and some academic problems, the program is generally well received by patients and…

Health care system changes since 1965 are reviewed. Areas in which hospital dental care can contribute to improved dental services are discussed, including the promotion of dentistry as primary care, progress in obtaining adequate reimbursement for oral health care, integration with other health professions, and improvement of credentialing and…