Chemical plaque control: how do you advise your patients?
Certain antiplaque and antigingivitis agents have proven efficacious in the control of plaque and gingivitis. To adequately assess the magnitude of the effect that is to be expected in clinical practice, the dentist must take into account the experimental design in order to extrapolate the results of the clinical trial to the target patient population. This paper reviews the strengths and weaknesses of major clinical trial designs in light of their relationship to the results dentists can expect in clinical practice.
Jeffcoat
M
M
University of Alabama School of Dentistry, Birmingham 35294.
D000891:Anti-Infective Agents, Local / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D002986:Clinical Trials as Topic; D003773:Dental Plaque / Q000517:prevention & control*; D015987:Effect Modifier, Epidemiologic; D005891:Gingivitis / Q000517:prevention & control*; D006801:Humans; D009910:Oral Hygiene; D010349:Patient Compliance; D010361:Patients; D016032:Randomized Controlled Trials as Topic; D012107:Research Design; D016896:Treatment Outcome
D000891:Anti-Infective Agents, Local