title: Use of guidelines to improve the quality and transparency of reporting oral health research.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The use of reporting guideline is directed at enhancing the completeness and transparency of biomedical publications. The aims of this paper are to present some of the key initiatives and guidelines providing indications and directions on the use of specific tools in oral health research.
  
  
  METHODS
  The EQUATOR Network and five established guidelines (CONSORT, STROBE, PRISMA, CARE and SPIRIT) are introduced.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Five guidelines are presented covering reporting of case reports, non-randomized studies, randomized controlled trials and systematic reviews. The importance of adherence to these guidelines by oral health researchers is emphasized.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Endorsement and robust implementation of reporting guidelines will translate into improved and more complete reporting in health research. Moreover, by ingraining the use of guidelines, it may be possible to indirectly improve the methodological quality of clinical studies. Active implementation strategies to encourage adherence to these guidelines among researchers, reviewers, editors and publishers may be an important facet in the advancement of knowledge in dentistry.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Inadequate reporting of research can lead to wasted research resources and risks publication of inaccurate or misleading findings with implications on healthcare decisions. Familiarity and diligent compliance with methodological and reporting guidelines are therefore essential to maximize the yield from dental research.
authors: Graduate Program in Dentistry, Federal University of Pelotas, Rua Gonçalves Chaves, 457, Pelotas, RS 96015-560, Brazil; Clinical Epidemiology Program, Ottawa Hospital Research Institute, 725 Parkdale Avenue, Ottawa, ON K1Y 4E9, Canada. Electronic address: rafaelonofre@gmail.com.
authors: Rafael
authors: R
authors: Sarkis-Onofre
authors: Graduate Program in Dentistry, Federal University of Pelotas, Rua Gonçalves Chaves, 457, Pelotas, RS 96015-560, Brazil. Electronic address: cencims@gmail.com.
authors: Maximiliano Sérgio
authors: MS
authors: Cenci
authors: Graduate Program in Dentistry, Federal University of Pelotas, Rua Gonçalves Chaves, 457, Pelotas, RS 96015-560, Brazil; Post-Graduate Program in Epidemiology, Federal University of Pelotas, Rua Mal. Deodoro, 1160, Pelotas, RS 96020-220, Brazil. Electronic address: ffdemarco@gmail.com.
authors: Flávio Fernando
authors: FF
authors: Demarco
authors: Learning & Scholarship, School of Dentistry, College of Biomedical and Life Sciences, Cardiff University, Heath Park, Cardiff, CF14 4XY, UK. Electronic address: lynchcd@cardiff.ac.uk.
authors: Christopher D
authors: CD
authors: Lynch
authors: Barts and The London School of Medicine and Dentistry, Institute of Dentistry, Queen Mary University of London, New Road, E1 2BA London, UK. Electronic address: padhraig.fleming@qmul.ac.uk.
authors: Padhraig S
authors: PS
authors: Fleming
authors: Graduate Program in Dentistry, Federal University of Pelotas, Rua Gonçalves Chaves, 457, Pelotas, RS 96015-560, Brazil. Electronic address: tatiana.dd@gmail.com.
authors: Tatiana
authors: T
authors: Pereira-Cenci
authors: Clinical Epidemiology Program, Ottawa Hospital Research Institute, 725 Parkdale Avenue, Ottawa, ON K1Y 4E9, Canada; Department of Epidemiology and Community Medicine, University of Ottawa, 451 Smyth Road, Ottawa, ON K1H 8M5, Canada. Electronic address: dmoher@ohri.ca.
authors: David
authors: D
authors: Moher
mesh_terms: D002986:Clinical Trials as Topic; D018865:Dental Research / Q000592:standards*; D006801:Humans; D017410:Practice Guidelines as Topic; D011786:Quality Control; D058028:Research Report / Q000592:standards*
keywords: Dentistry; Guideline adherence; Oral health; Review