The specific aims of the 1999 Dental Satisfaction Survey were to examine differences in the levels of satisfaction with dental care in a cross-sectional survey and to extend the available data for examining changes over time in the dental satisfaction levels of health cardholders, particularly those receiving public-funded dental care. The Dental Satisfaction Survey was developed as part of the evaluation of the Commonwealth Dental Health Program, and has been conducted jointly with the National Dental Telephone Interview Survey (NDTIS) in 1994, 1995, 1996, and 1999 to monitor adult access to dental care in Australia.