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Background: In view of the growing number of people requiring long-term nursing care the problem of dental care in long-term care facilities (LTCFs) remains an open issue. The aim of this study was to find out whether and how dental care in LTCF has changed over a period of 14 years. Methods: Data on the standard of dental care provided in LTCF in Berlin collected from directors of these homes in 1989 (n=85) and 2003 (n=54) were compared. Results: In 1989, 72% and in 2003, 66% of the elderly residents being newly admitted did not receive a dental entrance examination. In 2003, one nursing service requested prior dental hygienic measures as a requirement for admittance, whereas in 1989, this was not required by a single nursing center (p=0.125). In 1989, a dentist was available on call in 16% of LTCF increasing to 78% in 2003 (p=0.000). In 1989, yearly and half-yearly dental examinations were carried out in 11% of LTCF increasing to 28% (p=0.000) in 2003. No routine dental examinations were performed in 31% (1989) and in 39% (2003) of LTCF. In 1989, 27% of the respondents classified dental care as being good; in 2003, one-half of the surveyed home directors expressed this opinion (p=0.0018). Conclusion: In spite of some parameter having improved, the study shows that dental care in LTCF continues to be deficient and that awareness of directors of the homes, as a necessary prerequisite for any improvement, is still lacking.