title: Evidence-based dentistry and the concept of harm.
abstract: Evidence-based medicine requires the integration of best research evidence with the clinician's expertise and the patient's unique values and circumstances. One of the most important issues in deciding what course of treatment to select is balancing the potential risks and benefits of treatment. A framework for evidence-based decision-making includes formulating the clinical question and then retrieving, appraising, and considering the applicability of the evidence to the patient. It is the duty of all health care providers to reduce patient risk by selecting appropriate therapies and informing patients of unavoidable risks.
authors.affiliation: Department of Oral Health Practice, Division of Periodontology, University of Kentucky College of Dentistry, 800 Rose Street, Room M-122, Lexington, KY 40536-0297, USA. mvthom0@email.uky.edu
authors.forename: Mark V
authors.initials: MV
authors.lastname: Thomas
authors.forename: Sharon E
authors.initials: SE
authors.lastname: Straus
mesh_terms: D019386:Alendronate / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use; D050071:Bone Density Conservation Agents / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use; D055113:Chronic Periodontitis / Q000601:surgery; D002983:Clinical Competence; D019992:Databases as Topic; D003657:Decision Making; D003729:Dental Care; D003812:Dentist-Patient Relations; D055094:Evidence-Based Dentistry; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007258:Informed Consent; D007571:Jaw Diseases / Q000139:chemically induced; D015201:Meta-Analysis as Topic; D008875:Middle Aged; D010020:Osteonecrosis / Q000139:chemically induced; D015663:Osteoporosis, Postmenopausal / Q000188:drug therapy; D010347:Patient Care Planning; D016032:Randomized Controlled Trials as Topic; D012196:Review Literature as Topic; D018570:Risk Assessment
chemical_list: D050071:Bone Density Conservation Agents; D019386:Alendronate