Dental and oral health services research in Germany

Over the past eight years, the continuous call for "more oral health services research" in Germany has been (at least partially) answered. Today, relevant oral and dental health services research activities can be found at 12 medical faculties in Germany and nine large-scale projects are funded by the German Ministry for Education and Research (BMBF) or the Innovation Fund of the Federal Joint Committee (G-BA). However, the demand for high-level research in this field exceeds the current capacities of university and non-university dentistry; structured and methodically competent research networks that are cross-linked within the dental and public health services are required. These would allow research to assure sustainable and demand-oriented dental services, scientifically supporting the demographically, economically, and socially driven major changes to be expected in the coming years. The article describes the current status of dental and oral health services research in Germany and addresses major challenges: methodological competence, data accessibility and usage, and the prospects for this field of research. Therefore, it takes stock of existing research activities and infrastructure (including educational and funding opportunities). Knowledge obtained from dental and oral health services research in Germany can be pioneering for other countries, while researchers in Germany may be able to adopt and adapt servicing strategies from other countries and health systems for Germany. To achieve these aims, dental and oral health services researchers should professionalize and network. Sustainable structures (professorships, staff) and frameworks (data availability, funding) should be established and findings promptly translated into use.