title: Utilization of evidence-based informational resources for clinical decisions related to posterior composite restorations.
abstract: The purpose of this study was to characterize evidence-based informational resources utilization patterns of a sample of general dentists with respect to clinical decisions regarding posterior composite restorations. A stratified random sample of general practitioners belonging to the Academy of General Dentistry (n = 2880) was mailed a questionnaire that elicited information about practice characteristics and informational resources used for clinical decision making related to posterior composite restorations. Six hundred ninety-nine dentists responded (24 percent response rate). Use of evidence-based (EB) resources (journals and online data bases) was low for all respondents (14 percent) for all levels of experience; however, more experienced clinicians were more likely to use EB resources than recent graduates. AGD Master-level members were significantly more likely to use EB resources than their counterparts (p < .05). Within the limitation of this study, current patterns suggest a low reliance on evidence-based informational resources in the practice of clinical dentistry.
authors.affiliation: Department of Restorative Dentistry, University of Missouri-Kansas City School of Dentistry, Kansas City, MO 64108, USA. haj-alir@umkc.edu
authors.forename: Reem N
authors.initials: RN
authors.lastname: Haj-Ali
authors.forename: Mary P
authors.initials: MP
authors.lastname: Walker
authors.forename: Cynthia S
authors.initials: CS
authors.lastname: Petrie
authors.forename: Karen
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Williams
authors.forename: Tabitha
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Strain
mesh_terms: D001641:Bicuspid; D003188:Composite Resins; D020000:Decision Support Systems, Clinical / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D003793:Dental Restoration, Permanent / Q000379:methods*; D019317:Evidence-Based Medicine; D005792:General Practice, Dental; D006801:Humans; D007256:Information Systems / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D008963:Molar; D019239:Practice Patterns, Dentists'; D012494:Sampling Studies; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires
chemical_list: D003188:Composite Resins