title: Revisiting the status of oral health services in adult PM&R programs: a 40-year follow-up survey.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  This survey compared the status of oral health service access and needs for adult Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation (PM&R) patients over a 40-year period.
  
  
  METHODS
  This report compares two surveys (1974 vs. 2014) of Directors of PM&R residency programs in the United States. The same 14 survey questions used in 1974 survey were repeated in 2014, with four new questions added.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The major comparative findings about oral health services were that while perceived need remained high and availability and adequacy of dental care remained low, program directors indicated a slightly lessened desirability, feasibility and overall support for the concept of integrating oral health services into their PM&R program in the 2014 survey.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  These findings show that 40 years has not brought better access to oral health care for adult PM&R patients, only a slightly lessened enthusiasm in the program directors. Future research should explore the reasons underlying these disappointing outcomes.
authors.affiliation: Department of Epidemiology & Health Promotion, NYU College of Dentistry, New York, New York.
authors.forename: Ralph V
authors.initials: RV
authors.lastname: Katz
authors.affiliation: Division of Geriatric Dentistry, Department of Public Health and Community Service, Tufts University School of Dental Medicine, Boston, Massachusetts.
authors.forename: Hilde H
authors.initials: HH
authors.lastname: Tillman
authors.affiliation: Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, Tufts University Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts.
authors.forename: Rina M
authors.initials: RM
authors.lastname: Bloch
authors.affiliation: Department of Epidemiology & Health Promotion, NYU College of Dentistry, New York, New York.
authors.forename: Maria
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Stojanovic
authors.affiliation: Department of Epidemiology & Health Promotion, NYU College of Dentistry, New York, New York.
authors.forename: Akanksha
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Kaira
keywords: adult; dental care for disabled; health care surveys; physical and rehabilitation medicine