The Federal Government has engaged in research and investigation of dental quality assurance and related questions of dental delivery and financing for nearly 3 decades. Despite this federal effort and other privately financed projects, there is no completely accepted consensus regarding the definition or scope of the term "quality assurance" as applied to dentistry. Although federally sponsored research has declined lately, the profession has many interested parties to satisfy: consumers, the Federal Government, third- and fourth-party purchasers, unions, and others. Continued attention to dental quality assurance by the profession and other parties is desirable to ensure continuation of high standards of professionalism and practice.