Toward Defining Dentists’ Evidence‐Based Practice: Influence of Decade of Dental School Graduation and Scope of Practice on Implementation and Perceived Obstacles

Abstract

Academic dental institutions today seek to provide curricular content and learning opportunities for students to develop an essential skill set for evidence-based practice. To support that effort, studies that explore current practice patterns are valuable in identifying factors that inluence the evidence-based habits and behaviors of dental school graduates. The purpose of this study was to explore the knowledge, perceptions, and behavior of private practice dentists in the state of Iowa with respect to evidencebased dentistry and to determine the inluence of the dentist's education and the scope of his or her practice on those opinions and habits. A questionnaire addressing practitioners' familiarity with, understanding of, and adoption of an evidence-based philosophy of practice was mailed in September 2009 to all dentists licensed and practicing in Iowa. Questionnaires were returned by 518 practitioners, for an overall response rate of 38.4 percent. The majority of respondents reported awareness, understanding, and adoption of an evidence-based approach to their practice of dentistry. Recent graduates were more likely to report insuficient time as the primary obstacle to practicing evidence-based dentistry. Dental specialists indicated a higher level of comfort in assessing scientiic information, as well as implementing current reliable, valid published research in practice, than did general practitioners.

Implementation of evidence-based dentistry into practice: analysis of awareness, perceptions and attitudes of dentists in the World Dental Federation–European Regional Organization zone

“…Evidence‐based practice is a widely accepted term in medical fields worldwide; in dentistry, however, it has evolved over the past two decades and is still an emerging concept. Although the concept appears fundamentally simple and reasonable, dentists have been slow to translate current science into dental practice.…”

“…Although the concept appears fundamentally simple and reasonable, dentists have been slow to translate current science into dental practice. A number of studies have been performed to investigate the extent and mode of practitioners’ adoption of EBD and the described barriers to its implementation in countries around the world.…”

“…Other studies were also conducted to evaluate the levels of awareness and implementation of EBD among dentists in different countries. As an example, EBD was not a well‐known concept among Malaysian dental practitioners.…”

Practical Implementation of Evidence-Based Dentistry Into Daily Dental Practice Through a Short Time Dependent Searching Method

“…22,[56][57][58] It seems that one of the most frequently noted barriers is lack of time. 22,55,56,58 Simplified versions of search techniques, requiring less time and skills, essentially aim to overcome this time-related barrier and to further support the clinical implementation of EBD. These time-dependent search techniques, or 'chair-side' EBD search strategies, may serve the clinician even when he/she has limited time to reach evidence.…”

Improving oral healthcare using academic detailing – design of the ADVOCATE Field Studies

“…First of all, evaluation of effectiveness has fallen short with rapid developments in restorative care and in prevention and screening of future diseases. Hence, evidence for the comparative effectiveness of many contemporary preventive and restorative interventions is limited [2][3][4]. Second, meeting the needs and expectations of patients on their oral healthcare have become key features of care quality [1].…”