Striving for Excellence with Evidence-Based Dentistry

Dentists' Knowledge, Attitude, and Practice Regarding Evidence-Based Dentistry Practice in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia

Objective:

The aim of this study was to assess the existing level knowledge and the use of evidence-based dentistry among dental clinicians.

Methods and Materials:

A cross-sectional questionnaire-based survey was conducted among 400 male and female dental practitioner’s working in academic, governmental, and private sectors in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.

Results:

In this study, a total of 400 subjects were recruited of whom 253 (63.3%) were male dental practitioners and 147 (36.8%) were female dental practitioners: 229 (57.3%) subjects belonged to 25–34 age group, 145 (36.3%) to 35–44 age group, 18 (4.5%) to 45–54 age group, and 8 (2%) to >55 age group. Among them, 202 (50.5%) were mixed practice, 91 (22.8%) were working in academics, 76 (19%) belonged to private practice, and 31 (7.8%) belonged to government practice. In addition, 225 (56.3%) were general practitioners and postgraduates, 86 (21.5%) were specialists, 47 (11.8%) were consultants, and 42 (10.5%) had other qualifications. In total, 221 (55.3%) subjects completed their qualification within before 1–5 years, 153 (38.3%) completed their qualification within before 6–10 years, 19 (4.8%) completed their qualification within before 11–15 years, and 7 (1.8%) completed their qualification within 16–20 years.

Conclusion:

This survey mirrors the necessity to conduct continuing dental education programs on evidence-based practice (EBP), so as to give the dentists of Riyadh better knowledge regarding EBP so that they can administer it in their daily clinical practice and deliver better quality care to their patients.

Direct Restorations, Endodontics, and Bleaching: Materials and Techniques Used by General Dentists of New Zealand

Background

To investigate the selection and use of direct restorative materials, endodontic techniques adopted, and approaches to bleaching by general dentists in New Zealand.

Methods

A questionnaire comprising 19 sections and 125 questions was distributed via mail to 351 general dentists in New Zealand who were selected, at random, from the Dental Council of New Zealand's 2016 register.

Results

A total of 204 questionnaires were returned, of which 188 were usable. Direct resin composite was the most commonly used material for occlusoproximal cavity restorations in premolars (93.7%) and permanent molars (85.2%). Resin-modified glass ionomer cements (34%) and resin composite materials (31.4%) were more commonly used in the restoration of deciduous molars. Home-based vital bleaching was provided by a significant number of dentists (86%), while only 18% provided practice-based bleaching. Cold lateral condensation was the most commonly used obturation technique (55.8%), and 83% of respondents reported using rubber dam for treatments.

Conclusions

The findings from this study indicate that dentists in New Zealand are adapting to new materials and technologies to provide high quality care to their patients. Aesthetic treatments such as bleaching have become an integral part of general dental practice.

How to apply evidence-based principles in clinical dentistry

The primary objective of evidence-based practice is to improve the quality of health care. It helps in making a clinical decision based on recent and advanced research and the best available evidence. Evidence-based dentistry is an integration of best available evidence with clinical expertise and patient’s needs and preferences. However, there are many barriers to apply evidence-based knowledge into practice. Information overflow, inability to select appropriate evidence, and critically appraising the evidence are the main challenges a practitioner may face. The focus of this review is defining a well-structured clinical question, key principles of literature search, type of search studies, and how to appraise an evidence. Furthermore, despite the availability of good evidence, patient’s needs and preferences are crucial factors in making clinical decision. Finally, the clinician’s experience and lack of motivation to change practice is another big challenge to evidence-based practice. This article discusses the six structured steps to apply evidence-based practice in dentistry with examples. Finally, this article will help practitioners to integrate their experience and skill with modern research evidence as well as to educate their patients to reach a final clinical decision.

Knowledge and Use of Evidence-based Dentistry among Iranian Dentists

OBJECTIVES

The objective of this study was to assess the knowledge and use of evidence-based dentistry (EBD) among Iranian dentists.

METHODS

A cross-sectional survey was conducted by means of a questionnaire among dentists attending the 52(nd) National Annual Congress of the Iranian Dental Association in Tehran in April 2012. The questions covered the participants' level of knowledge and use of EBD.

RESULTS

The mean knowledge score of the 310 respondents was 3.66 ± 1.19 out of a maximum of 5. The majority of the dentists had little (56.1%) or no (20.7%) knowledge of EBD. The main reported barrier to the use of EBD was lack of time (44.1% of respondents) with 42.8% of dentists using the Internet less than one hour per week.

CONCLUSION

EBD was not a familiar concept to these Iranian dentists; the majority of them preferred consultation with colleagues over seeking evidence from electronic databases.

A Framework for Implementing Sustainable Oral Health Promotion Interventions

The present paper addresses basic evaluation and procedural concepts that are involved in the process of implementing sustainable oral health behavioral and social interventions. It is part of a series of thematic articles describing cutting-edge methods for conducting oral health interventions research. Core components for effective intervention implementation are presented as part of a comprehensive model composed of four stages (training, adoption, implementation, and practice), along with sustaining influences involving preparation and maintenance. This model systematically addresses common barriers that can reduce innovation success and permanence. Special attention is given to the measurement and impact of organizational and related contextual influences across stages of the implementation process. Assessment tools and research strategies are recommended and illustrated based on evaluations of interventions implemented in addiction and mental health treatment systems. These tools and research strategies also hold promise for use within the National Institute of Dental and Craniofacial Research Practice-Based Research Networks, as well as other systems of oral health care delivery.