The Evidence-Based Clinical Decision Support Guide: Mucogingival/Esthetics

Enabling general physicians to perform periodontal screening during nationwide periodic health examinations

Since 2005, Austrian physicians have screened for periodontal diseases during free-of-charge periodic health examinations (PHE). Various printed and online materials were designed to inform patients and to support general physicians (GPs) to perform this intervention.

AIM

The aim of this study was to examine whether existing clinical decision support (CDS) resources effectively enhance the potential benefits of periodontal screening (PS) by physicians.

METHOD

Existing printed and online CDS for PS were analyzed and experts were interviewed to ascertain the utility and use of these resources and the existence of Continuing Education (CE) courses to enable GPs to perform PS. The analysis followed the guidelines of the American Medical Informatics Association on determining the quality of CDS. We asked whether existing CDS for PS provided best knowledge when needed; whether it was easily accessible, accepted, widely used, and improved the quality of care; and whether there was continuing improvement based on feedback, experience, and scientific data.

RESULTS

Several Internet-based and printed CDS resources pertaining to PS were identified, with varying degrees of distribution and utilization. However, no formal evaluation had been conducted to determine whether existing CDS systems were used, whether physicians felt that they were of benefit, or whether they enhanced quality outcomes of PS. The findings correlated with other studies and showed that general use of CDS by clinicians was still low.

CONCLUSION

There is no evidence that Austrian physicians perform PS according to mandate. Current CDS requires evaluation and improvement and CE courses should be offered to support GPs in performing PSs.

The evidence-based dentistry champions: a grassroots approach to the implementation of EBD

In order for evidence-based dentistry (EBD) to become part of decision making in practice, the most current and comprehensive research findings must be translated into practice. The use of Champions, influential individuals to support the transfer of knowledge among their peers, is one effective approach used by others in the health care field to successfully implement science research into clinical care. With the success of Champions in other health care areas, the American Dental Association (ADA) and the Journal of Evidence-Based Dental Practice, through an educational grant from Procter and Gamble, have launched a novel program to develop Evidence-Based Dentistry Champions. The EBD Champion program is developing a network of oral health care workers who will disseminate information about the application of an evidence-based approach to dental care and will serve as resources and mentors to their colleagues. The primary mechanism for developing the network of EBD Champions is through 3 annual EBD Champion Conferences, the first of which will be held at the ADA Headquarters in Chicago, IL, on May 2 and 3, 2008. The EBD Champion will serve as a resource to the practitioners in their communities, providing a grassroots approach to facilitating the implementation of an evidence-based approach to providing dental care.