Awareness,knowledge and practice of evidence‐based dentistry amongst dentists in Kuwait

Abstract

This study assessed the awareness, knowledge and practice of evidence‐based dentistry (EBD) amongst dentists working in the public sector in Kuwait. Of the 150 randomly selected dentists from all five health districts in Kuwait who had originally been approached, 120 participated by completing a pre‐tested, self‐administered questionnaire (80% response rate). Whereas 60.9% of the group stated that they practice EBD most of the time, fewer (40.8%) had a reasonable understanding of EBD based upon tested knowledge scores of EBD‐related topics. Clinical decisions appeared to be mostly based on the clinician’s own judgment (73.3%) rather than on evidence‐based sources such as PubMed (28.3%) or the Cochrane Library (6.7%). A number of within‐group differences were noted, with women (P < 0.05), those working in a particular district (P < 0.05), those with <10 years’ experience (P = 0.05), those whose first dental qualification had been obtained in Kuwait (P < 0.05), and those who had had any EBD training (P < 0.05) showing greater knowledge of EBD. Training in EBD was felt necessary by a majority of the group, and this may be facilitated if dental centres have access to evidence‐based sources to remove some of the possible barriers to implementation of EBD.

Awareness, Attitude and Barriers Towards Evidence Based Dental Practice Amongst Practicing Dentists of Bhopal City

“…A significant number of participants (44.7%) needed additional information about systematic review and meta-analysis. This was quite similar to the findings of Haron et al, but significantly lesser than Yusof et al, [11,14] [Table/ Fig-8]. This form of evidence ranks highest in the hierarchy of evidence and must be primarily sought in clinical difficulties.…”

“…The response rate of the present study was 80% similar to Haron et al, (80%) [11] and Prabhu et al, (86.7%) [12] but more than the study of Iqbal et al, (69.6%) [13] [Table/ Fig-8]. Such high response might be attributed to the same day retrieval of questionnaires from respondents after giving them sufficient time.…”

“…Although, financial constraints was considered as fourth commonest barrier dissimilar to the results of Haron et al, and Yusof et al, [11,14]. Time constraints and lack of appropriate skills to appraise were two important reasons for Indian dentists not practicing EBDP in this study.…”

“…Haron MI et al, [11] While 60.9% of the group acknowledged that they practice EBD most of the time, fewer (40.8%) had a reasonable understanding of EBD. Clinical decisions appeared to be mostly based on the clinician's own judgment (73.3%) rather than on evidence-based sources such as PubMed (28.3%) or the Cochrane Library (6.7%).…”

Evidence Based Dental Care: Integrating Clinical Expertise with Systematic Research

“…As healthcare providers, it is important that physicians and dentists offer the best possible care for their patients. This requires not only a sound educational base but also a good source of current best evidence to support their treatment recommendations [2]. To do it successfully, certain skills need to be obliviously acquired, being the intention of evidence-based dentistry the providing better information for the clinician, improved treatment for the patient, and consequently an increased standing of the profession [3].In many countries, there has been increasing concern about the use of Evidence-Based Practice (EBP) in oral health care [4].The principles and methods of evidence based dentistry give dentists the opportunity to apply relevant research findings to the care of their patients.…”