title: Variation, certainty, evidence, and change in dental education: employing evidence-based dentistry in dental education.
abstract: Variation in health care, and more particularly in dental care, was recently chronicled in a Readers Digest investigative report. The conclusions of this report are consistent with sound scientific studies conducted in various areas of health care, including dental care, which demonstrate substantial variation in the care provided to patients. This variation in care parallels the certainty with which clinicians and faculty members often articulate strongly held, but very different opinions. Using a case-based dental scenario, we present systematic evidence-based methods for accessing dental health care information, evaluating this information for validity and importance, and using this information to make informed curricular and clinical decisions. We also discuss barriers inhibiting these systematic approaches to evidence-based clinical decision making and methods for effectively promoting behavior change in health care professionals.
authors: Department of Epidemiology and Public Health, University College London.
authors: V C
authors: VC
authors: Marinho
authors: D
authors: D
authors: Richards
authors: R
authors: R
authors: Niederman
mesh_terms: D001291:Attitude of Health Personnel; D002327:Cariostatic Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D002985:Clinical Protocols; D003479:Curriculum / Q000639:trends; D019992:Databases as Topic; D003657:Decision Making; D003729:Dental Care; D003731:Dental Caries / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000517:prevention & control / Q000628:therapy; D003815:Dentists; D004497:Education, Dental; D019317:Evidence-Based Medicine; D005459:Fluorides / Q000627:therapeutic use; D006801:Humans; D016239:MEDLINE; D017063:Outcome Assessment, Health Care; D010347:Patient Care Planning; D010895:Pit and Fissure Sealants / Q000627:therapeutic use; D019239:Practice Patterns, Dentists'; D011340:Problem Solving
chemical_list: D002327:Cariostatic Agents; D010895:Pit and Fissure Sealants; D005459:Fluorides