title: Knowledge of evidence-based dentistry among academic dental practitioners of Bhopal, India: a preliminary survey.
abstract: This study aimed to characterize the knowledge of evidence-based dentistry (EBD) among dental faculty members in the city of Bhopal in central India. A cross-sectional questionnaire was administered at two dental colleges in Bhopal City. All dental faculty members who were present on the day of the study and who agreed to participate were included in the study. A total of 50 dental faculty members returned the questionnaire. Six Likert-type questions were asked, and the percentages of various responses were used for analysis. Sixteen faculty members (32.0%) strongly agreed that EBD is a process of making decisions based on scientifically proven evidence. Fifteen faculty members (30.0%) strongly disagreed or disagreed with the item stating that the best and quickest way to find evidence is by reading textbooks or asking experienced colleagues. Thirteen faculty members (26.0%) strongly agreed that EBD allows dentists to improve their scientific knowledge and clinical skills. It is recommended that EBD be included in undergraduate and postgraduate curricula and in intensive continuing dental education programs that are conducted for dental faculty members.
authors.affiliation: Department of Public Health Dentistry, People's College of Dental Sciences and Research Centre, People's University, Bhanpur, Bhopal, Madhya Pradesh, India.
authors.forename: Aishwarya
authors.identifier: 0000-0002-7647-8612
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Singh
authors.affiliation: Department of Public Health Dentistry, Hitkarni Dental College, Jabalpur, Madhya Pradesh, India.
authors.forename: Sudhanshu
authors.identifier: 0000-0001-6387-984X
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Saxena
authors.affiliation: Department of Public Health Dentistry, People's Dental Academy, People's University, Bhanpur, Bhopal, Madhya Pradesh, India.
authors.forename: Vidhatri
authors.identifier: 0000-0003-2684-2786
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Tiwari
authors.affiliation: Department of Pedodontics and Preventive Dentistry, People's Dental Academy, People's University, Bhanpur, Bhopal, Madhya Pradesh, India.
authors.forename: Utkarsh
authors.identifier: 0000-0003-4373-5894
authors.initials: U
authors.lastname: Tiwari
keywords: Clinical competence; Dental faculty; Dentists; Evidence-based dentistry; Questionnaires