[Health services research in Germany--status quo in the field of oral health].

BACKGROUND: Within the last years, health services research has gained increasing attention in Germany. This trend could also be observed in dentistry although this research field must be considered rather young. The methodical approach of health services research is complementary to the traditional clinical research paradigm. The latter focuses on the comprehension of causal mechanisms and the efficacy of interventions under ideal and standardized study conditions. In contrast to that, health services research focuses on the effectiveness under everyday conditions and the efficacy in the normal course of medical care. RESEARCH PROJECTS: In the field of dentistry, various investigations exist that belong to that area of research in a broader sense. Articles in professional dental journals deal increasingly with topics related to health services research. Political discussions look in that subject more frequently. Concrete results, however, are rare and limited to selected aspects. At the beginning of 2005, the reimbursement policy of the German health insurance funds relative to prosthetic treatment changed completely. The resulting consequences are unknown and unexplored. Dramatic changes are to be expected. This clearly exemplifies the significance of scientific evaluations when changing key aspects of daily health care. SUMMARY AND OUTLOOK: Hence it can be said that dental health services research in Germany is not sufficiently established yet. It can be assumed that the cumulating problems to be expected within the health care system will lead to an increasing demand for the respective research.