title: A practical approach to evidence-based dentistry: VI: How to use a systematic review.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Dental practitioners face new clinical challenges on a daily basis. New treatment options and diagnostic tools are disseminated quickly, and the volume of articles and new evidence is overwhelming. Systematic reviews summarize and synthesize the available evidence related to diagnosis, therapy, prognosis, and harm for clinicians, patients, and decision makers. Such reviews represent one of the most powerful tools to translate knowledge into action.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The critical appraisal of this type of study involves assessing the risk of bias, results, and applicability of such study. The authors provide guidance for clinicians to critically appraise systematic reviews and apply the findings in clinical practice.
authors.forename: Alonso
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Carrasco-Labra
authors.forename: Romina
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Brignardello-Petersen
authors.forename: Michael
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Glick
authors.forename: Gordon H
authors.initials: GH
authors.lastname: Guyatt
authors.forename: Amir
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Azarpazhooh
mesh_terms: D006801:Humans; D055094:Evidence-Based Dentistry / Q000379:methods / Q000592:standards; D000078202:Systematic Reviews as Topic
keywords: Systematic reviews; critical appraisal; evidence-based dentistry; meta-analysis