Medical care
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The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) operates one of the largest health care systems in the nation; more than 2.5 million veterans receive care annually. Among the special foci of care within VA is the Dental Service. The Department of Veterans Affairs Dental Service is the largest dental care system in the nation and the largest hospital-based dental care system in the world, receiving more than 1.2 million visits annually. ⋯ The goal of the VA Dental Service is to become veterans' first choice for dental care. Information needed by VA to best respond to the needs of veterans include the following: (1) reasons for why eligible veterans do not use VA dental care; (2) veterans' oral health needs; (3) definition of optimum care and whether it varies as a person moves from functional independence to dependence; (4) whether VA is providing the most cost-efficient care possible and is best utilizing allied health professions; and (5) whether this care is best provided in a hospital setting. Modifications of data gathering systems are required as a first step to providing the needed information.
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Health services research (HSR) in the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) is one way in which to study the oral health care delivered to aging veterans and to ensure the most effective and efficient methods of meeting their oral health needs. This article details the current resources and infrastructure within VA dentistry that could be used to support a dental HSR agenda, followed by recommendations for improvements. The Department of Veterans Affairs' current situation regarding dental HSR is as follows: Dental health services research within VA needs expansion. ⋯ Develop dental HSR training programs modeled after the Career Development Program, Dental-Geriatric Fellowship, and Dentist-Scientist Programs that will permit VA to become a leader in dental HSR training. Develop mechanisms to ensure adequate and sustained funding for dental HSR projects. Ensure that dissemination techniques are effective and result in improvements in operational effectiveness and quality of care.