title: Evidence-Based Practice Knowledge, Perceptions, and Behavior: A Multi-Institutional, Cross-Sectional Study of a Population of U.S. Dental Students.
abstract: The aim of this study was to help inform faculty and curriculum leaders in academic dental institutions about the knowledge, skills, perceptions, and behavior of an institutionally diverse population of dental students with respect to evidence-based practice (EBP). A survey utilizing the validated Knowledge, Attitudes, Access, and Confidence Evaluation instrument developed by Hendricson et al. was conducted in 2012 with fourth-year dental students at seven geographically dispersed U.S. dental schools. The survey addressed elements of EBP knowledge, attitudes toward EBP, behavior in accessing evidence, and perceptions of competence in statistical analysis. A total of 138 students from the seven schools participated. A slight majority of these students correctly responded to the knowledge of critical appraisal questions. While the students demonstrated positive attitudes about EBP, they did not report high levels of confidence in their critical appraisal skills. The findings also showed that the students accessed various sources of evidence with differing frequencies. The most frequently accessed resources were colleagues, the Internet (excluding Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews), and textbooks. The results of this study help to identify areas for improvement in EBP education in order to advance dental students' preparation to become evidence-based practitioners.
authors.affiliation: Dr. Straub-Morarend is Assistant Professor, Department of Family Dentistry, College of Dentistry & Dental Clinics, University of Iowa; Dr. Wankiiri-Hale is Associate Dean for Student Affairs and Assistant Professor, Department of Restorative Dentistry and Comprehensive Care, School of Dental Medicine, University of Pittsburgh; Mr. Blanchette is a Biostatistician, Division of Biostatistics and Research Design, College of Dentistry & Dental Clinics, University of Iowa; Dr. Lanning is Associate Professor, Department of Periodontics, School of Dentistry, Virginia Commonwealth University; Dr. Bekhuis is Assistant Professor, Department of Biomedical Informatics, School of Medicine and Department of Dental Public Health, School of Dental Medicine, and Director, Center for Informatics in Oral Health Translational Research, University of Pittsburgh; Dr. Smith is Associate Clinical Professor, Department of Restorative Clinical Sciences, School of Dentistry, University of Missouri-Kansas City; Dr. Brodie is Associate Dean for Academic Affairs and Associate Professor, College of Dental Medicine, Nova Southeastern University; Dr. Oliveira is Assistant Professor, Department of Restorative Dentistry, School of Dentistry, University of Detroit Mercy; Dr. Handysides is Associate Dean for Academic Affairs and Associate Professor of Endodontics, School of Dentistry, Loma Linda University; Dr. Dawson is Professor and Director, Division of Biostatistics and Research Design, Departments of Pediatric Dentistry and Biostatistics, and Interdisciplinary Programs in Genetics and in Informatics, College of Dentistry & Dental Clinics, University of Iowa; and Dr. Spallek is Pro-Dean and Professor, Faculty of Dentistry, University of Sydney and was Associate Dean for Faculty Affairs, Associate Professor, Dental Public Health, and Executive Director, Center for Informatics in Oral Health Translational Research, School of Dental Medicine, University of Pittsburgh at the time of this study. cheryl-m
authors.forename: Cheryl L
authors.initials: CL
authors.lastname: Straub-Morarend
authors.affiliation: Dr. Straub-Morarend is Assistant Professor, Department of Family Dentistry, College of Dentistry & Dental Clinics, University of Iowa; Dr. Wankiiri-Hale is Associate Dean for Student Affairs and Assistant Professor, Department of Restorative Dentistry and Comprehensive Care, School of Dental Medicine, University of Pittsburgh; Mr. Blanchette is a Biostatistician, Division of Biostatistics and Research Design, College of Dentistry & Dental Clinics, University of Iowa; Dr. Lanning is Associate Professor, Department of Periodontics, School of Dentistry, Virginia Commonwealth University; Dr. Bekhuis is Assistant Professor, Department of Biomedical Informatics, School of Medicine and Department of Dental Public Health, School of Dental Medicine, and Director, Center for Informatics in Oral Health Translational Research, University of Pittsburgh; Dr. Smith is Associate Clinical Professor, Department of Restorative Clinical Sciences, School of Dentistry, University of Missouri-Kansas City; Dr. Brodie is Associate Dean for Academic Affairs and Associate Professor, College of Dental Medicine, Nova Southeastern University; Dr. Oliveira is Assistant Professor, Department of Restorative Dentistry, School of Dentistry, University of Detroit Mercy; Dr. Handysides is Associate Dean for Academic Affairs and Associate Professor of Endodontics, School of Dentistry, Loma Linda University; Dr. Dawson is Professor and Director, Division of Biostatistics and Research Design, Departments of Pediatric Dentistry and Biostatistics, and Interdisciplinary Programs in Genetics and in Informatics, College of Dentistry & Dental Clinics, University of Iowa; and Dr. Spallek is Pro-Dean and Professor, Faculty of Dentistry, University of Sydney and was Associate Dean for Faculty Affairs, Associate Professor, Dental Public Health, and Executive Director, Center for Informatics in Oral Health Translational Research, School of Dental Medicine, University of Pittsburgh at the time of this study.
authors.forename: Christine R
authors.initials: CR
authors.lastname: Wankiiri-Hale
authors.affiliation: Dr. Straub-Morarend is Assistant Professor, Department of Family Dentistry, College of Dentistry & Dental Clinics, University of Iowa; Dr. Wankiiri-Hale is Associate Dean for Student Affairs and Assistant Professor, Department of Restorative Dentistry and Comprehensive Care, School of Dental Medicine, University of Pittsburgh; Mr. Blanchette is a Biostatistician, Division of Biostatistics and Research Design, College of Dentistry & Dental Clinics, University of Iowa; Dr. Lanning is Associate Professor, Department of Periodontics, School of Dentistry, Virginia Commonwealth University; Dr. Bekhuis is Assistant Professor, Department of Biomedical Informatics, School of Medicine and Department of Dental Public Health, School of Dental Medicine, and Director, Center for Informatics in Oral Health Translational Research, University of Pittsburgh; Dr. Smith is Associate Clinical Professor, Department of Restorative Clinical Sciences, School of Dentistry, University of Missouri-Kansas City; Dr. Brodie is Associate Dean for Academic Affairs and Associate Professor, College of Dental Medicine, Nova Southeastern University; Dr. Oliveira is Assistant Professor, Department of Restorative Dentistry, School of Dentistry, University of Detroit Mercy; Dr. Handysides is Associate Dean for Academic Affairs and Associate Professor of Endodontics, School of Dentistry, Loma Linda University; Dr. Dawson is Professor and Director, Division of Biostatistics and Research Design, Departments of Pediatric Dentistry and Biostatistics, and Interdisciplinary Programs in Genetics and in Informatics, College of Dentistry & Dental Clinics, University of Iowa; and Dr. Spallek is Pro-Dean and Professor, Faculty of Dentistry, University of Sydney and was Associate Dean for Faculty Affairs, Associate Professor, Dental Public Health, and Executive Director, Center for Informatics in Oral Health Translational Research, School of Dental Medicine, University of Pittsburgh at the time of this study.
authors.forename: Derek R
authors.initials: DR
authors.lastname: Blanchette
authors.affiliation: Dr. Straub-Morarend is Assistant Professor, Department of Family Dentistry, College of Dentistry & Dental Clinics, University of Iowa; Dr. Wankiiri-Hale is Associate Dean for Student Affairs and Assistant Professor, Department of Restorative Dentistry and Comprehensive Care, School of Dental Medicine, University of Pittsburgh; Mr. Blanchette is a Biostatistician, Division of Biostatistics and Research Design, College of Dentistry & Dental Clinics, University of Iowa; Dr. Lanning is Associate Professor, Department of Periodontics, School of Dentistry, Virginia Commonwealth University; Dr. Bekhuis is Assistant Professor, Department of Biomedical Informatics, School of Medicine and Department of Dental Public Health, School of Dental Medicine, and Director, Center for Informatics in Oral Health Translational Research, University of Pittsburgh; Dr. Smith is Associate Clinical Professor, Department of Restorative Clinical Sciences, School of Dentistry, University of Missouri-Kansas City; Dr. Brodie is Associate Dean for Academic Affairs and Associate Professor, College of Dental Medicine, Nova Southeastern University; Dr. Oliveira is Assistant Professor, Department of Restorative Dentistry, School of Dentistry, University of Detroit Mercy; Dr. Handysides is Associate Dean for Academic Affairs and Associate Professor of Endodontics, School of Dentistry, Loma Linda University; Dr. Dawson is Professor and Director, Division of Biostatistics and Research Design, Departments of Pediatric Dentistry and Biostatistics, and Interdisciplinary Programs in Genetics and in Informatics, College of Dentistry & Dental Clinics, University of Iowa; and Dr. Spallek is Pro-Dean and Professor, Faculty of Dentistry, University of Sydney and was Associate Dean for Faculty Affairs, Associate Professor, Dental Public Health, and Executive Director, Center for Informatics in Oral Health Translational Research, School of Dental Medicine, University of Pittsburgh at the time of this study.
authors.forename: Sharon K
authors.initials: SK
authors.lastname: Lanning
authors.affiliation: Dr. Straub-Morarend is Assistant Professor, Department of Family Dentistry, College of Dentistry & Dental Clinics, University of Iowa; Dr. Wankiiri-Hale is Associate Dean for Student Affairs and Assistant Professor, Department of Restorative Dentistry and Comprehensive Care, School of Dental Medicine, University of Pittsburgh; Mr. Blanchette is a Biostatistician, Division of Biostatistics and Research Design, College of Dentistry & Dental Clinics, University of Iowa; Dr. Lanning is Associate Professor, Department of Periodontics, School of Dentistry, Virginia Commonwealth University; Dr. Bekhuis is Assistant Professor, Department of Biomedical Informatics, School of Medicine and Department of Dental Public Health, School of Dental Medicine, and Director, Center for Informatics in Oral Health Translational Research, University of Pittsburgh; Dr. Smith is Associate Clinical Professor, Department of Restorative Clinical Sciences, School of Dentistry, University of Missouri-Kansas City; Dr. Brodie is Associate Dean for Academic Affairs and Associate Professor, College of Dental Medicine, Nova Southeastern University; Dr. Oliveira is Assistant Professor, Department of Restorative Dentistry, School of Dentistry, University of Detroit Mercy; Dr. Handysides is Associate Dean for Academic Affairs and Associate Professor of Endodontics, School of Dentistry, Loma Linda University; Dr. Dawson is Professor and Director, Division of Biostatistics and Research Design, Departments of Pediatric Dentistry and Biostatistics, and Interdisciplinary Programs in Genetics and in Informatics, College of Dentistry & Dental Clinics, University of Iowa; and Dr. Spallek is Pro-Dean and Professor, Faculty of Dentistry, University of Sydney and was Associate Dean for Faculty Affairs, Associate Professor, Dental Public Health, and Executive Director, Center for Informatics in Oral Health Translational Research, School of Dental Medicine, University of Pittsburgh at the time of this study.
authors.forename: Tanja
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Bekhuis
authors.affiliation: Dr. Straub-Morarend is Assistant Professor, Department of Family Dentistry, College of Dentistry & Dental Clinics, University of Iowa; Dr. Wankiiri-Hale is Associate Dean for Student Affairs and Assistant Professor, Department of Restorative Dentistry and Comprehensive Care, School of Dental Medicine, University of Pittsburgh; Mr. Blanchette is a Biostatistician, Division of Biostatistics and Research Design, College of Dentistry & Dental Clinics, University of Iowa; Dr. Lanning is Associate Professor, Department of Periodontics, School of Dentistry, Virginia Commonwealth University; Dr. Bekhuis is Assistant Professor, Department of Biomedical Informatics, School of Medicine and Department of Dental Public Health, School of Dental Medicine, and Director, Center for Informatics in Oral Health Translational Research, University of Pittsburgh; Dr. Smith is Associate Clinical Professor, Department of Restorative Clinical Sciences, School of Dentistry, University of Missouri-Kansas City; Dr. Brodie is Associate Dean for Academic Affairs and Associate Professor, College of Dental Medicine, Nova Southeastern University; Dr. Oliveira is Assistant Professor, Department of Restorative Dentistry, School of Dentistry, University of Detroit Mercy; Dr. Handysides is Associate Dean for Academic Affairs and Associate Professor of Endodontics, School of Dentistry, Loma Linda University; Dr. Dawson is Professor and Director, Division of Biostatistics and Research Design, Departments of Pediatric Dentistry and Biostatistics, and Interdisciplinary Programs in Genetics and in Informatics, College of Dentistry & Dental Clinics, University of Iowa; and Dr. Spallek is Pro-Dean and Professor, Faculty of Dentistry, University of Sydney and was Associate Dean for Faculty Affairs, Associate Professor, Dental Public Health, and Executive Director, Center for Informatics in Oral Health Translational Research, School of Dental Medicine, University of Pittsburgh at the time of this study.
authors.forename: Becky M
authors.initials: BM
authors.lastname: Smith
authors.affiliation: Dr. Straub-Morarend is Assistant Professor, Department of Family Dentistry, College of Dentistry & Dental Clinics, University of Iowa; Dr. Wankiiri-Hale is Associate Dean for Student Affairs and Assistant Professor, Department of Restorative Dentistry and Comprehensive Care, School of Dental Medicine, University of Pittsburgh; Mr. Blanchette is a Biostatistician, Division of Biostatistics and Research Design, College of Dentistry & Dental Clinics, University of Iowa; Dr. Lanning is Associate Professor, Department of Periodontics, School of Dentistry, Virginia Commonwealth University; Dr. Bekhuis is Assistant Professor, Department of Biomedical Informatics, School of Medicine and Department of Dental Public Health, School of Dental Medicine, and Director, Center for Informatics in Oral Health Translational Research, University of Pittsburgh; Dr. Smith is Associate Clinical Professor, Department of Restorative Clinical Sciences, School of Dentistry, University of Missouri-Kansas City; Dr. Brodie is Associate Dean for Academic Affairs and Associate Professor, College of Dental Medicine, Nova Southeastern University; Dr. Oliveira is Assistant Professor, Department of Restorative Dentistry, School of Dentistry, University of Detroit Mercy; Dr. Handysides is Associate Dean for Academic Affairs and Associate Professor of Endodontics, School of Dentistry, Loma Linda University; Dr. Dawson is Professor and Director, Division of Biostatistics and Research Design, Departments of Pediatric Dentistry and Biostatistics, and Interdisciplinary Programs in Genetics and in Informatics, College of Dentistry & Dental Clinics, University of Iowa; and Dr. Spallek is Pro-Dean and Professor, Faculty of Dentistry, University of Sydney and was Associate Dean for Faculty Affairs, Associate Professor, Dental Public Health, and Executive Director, Center for Informatics in Oral Health Translational Research, School of Dental Medicine, University of Pittsburgh at the time of this study.
authors.forename: Abby J
authors.initials: AJ
authors.lastname: Brodie
authors.affiliation: Dr. Straub-Morarend is Assistant Professor, Department of Family Dentistry, College of Dentistry & Dental Clinics, University of Iowa; Dr. Wankiiri-Hale is Associate Dean for Student Affairs and Assistant Professor, Department of Restorative Dentistry and Comprehensive Care, School of Dental Medicine, University of Pittsburgh; Mr. Blanchette is a Biostatistician, Division of Biostatistics and Research Design, College of Dentistry & Dental Clinics, University of Iowa; Dr. Lanning is Associate Professor, Department of Periodontics, School of Dentistry, Virginia Commonwealth University; Dr. Bekhuis is Assistant Professor, Department of Biomedical Informatics, School of Medicine and Department of Dental Public Health, School of Dental Medicine, and Director, Center for Informatics in Oral Health Translational Research, University of Pittsburgh; Dr. Smith is Associate Clinical Professor, Department of Restorative Clinical Sciences, School of Dentistry, University of Missouri-Kansas City; Dr. Brodie is Associate Dean for Academic Affairs and Associate Professor, College of Dental Medicine, Nova Southeastern University; Dr. Oliveira is Assistant Professor, Department of Restorative Dentistry, School of Dentistry, University of Detroit Mercy; Dr. Handysides is Associate Dean for Academic Affairs and Associate Professor of Endodontics, School of Dentistry, Loma Linda University; Dr. Dawson is Professor and Director, Division of Biostatistics and Research Design, Departments of Pediatric Dentistry and Biostatistics, and Interdisciplinary Programs in Genetics and in Informatics, College of Dentistry & Dental Clinics, University of Iowa; and Dr. Spallek is Pro-Dean and Professor, Faculty of Dentistry, University of Sydney and was Associate Dean for Faculty Affairs, Associate Professor, Dental Public Health, and Executive Director, Center for Informatics in Oral Health Translational Research, School of Dental Medicine, University of Pittsburgh at the time of this study.
authors.forename: Deise Cruz
authors.initials: DC
authors.lastname: Oliveira
authors.affiliation: Dr. Straub-Morarend is Assistant Professor, Department of Family Dentistry, College of Dentistry & Dental Clinics, University of Iowa; Dr. Wankiiri-Hale is Associate Dean for Student Affairs and Assistant Professor, Department of Restorative Dentistry and Comprehensive Care, School of Dental Medicine, University of Pittsburgh; Mr. Blanchette is a Biostatistician, Division of Biostatistics and Research Design, College of Dentistry & Dental Clinics, University of Iowa; Dr. Lanning is Associate Professor, Department of Periodontics, School of Dentistry, Virginia Commonwealth University; Dr. Bekhuis is Assistant Professor, Department of Biomedical Informatics, School of Medicine and Department of Dental Public Health, School of Dental Medicine, and Director, Center for Informatics in Oral Health Translational Research, University of Pittsburgh; Dr. Smith is Associate Clinical Professor, Department of Restorative Clinical Sciences, School of Dentistry, University of Missouri-Kansas City; Dr. Brodie is Associate Dean for Academic Affairs and Associate Professor, College of Dental Medicine, Nova Southeastern University; Dr. Oliveira is Assistant Professor, Department of Restorative Dentistry, School of Dentistry, University of Detroit Mercy; Dr. Handysides is Associate Dean for Academic Affairs and Associate Professor of Endodontics, School of Dentistry, Loma Linda University; Dr. Dawson is Professor and Director, Division of Biostatistics and Research Design, Departments of Pediatric Dentistry and Biostatistics, and Interdisciplinary Programs in Genetics and in Informatics, College of Dentistry & Dental Clinics, University of Iowa; and Dr. Spallek is Pro-Dean and Professor, Faculty of Dentistry, University of Sydney and was Associate Dean for Faculty Affairs, Associate Professor, Dental Public Health, and Executive Director, Center for Informatics in Oral Health Translational Research, School of Dental Medicine, University of Pittsburgh at the time of this study.
authors.forename: Robert A
authors.initials: RA
authors.lastname: Handysides
authors.affiliation: Dr. Straub-Morarend is Assistant Professor, Department of Family Dentistry, College of Dentistry & Dental Clinics, University of Iowa; Dr. Wankiiri-Hale is Associate Dean for Student Affairs and Assistant Professor, Department of Restorative Dentistry and Comprehensive Care, School of Dental Medicine, University of Pittsburgh; Mr. Blanchette is a Biostatistician, Division of Biostatistics and Research Design, College of Dentistry & Dental Clinics, University of Iowa; Dr. Lanning is Associate Professor, Department of Periodontics, School of Dentistry, Virginia Commonwealth University; Dr. Bekhuis is Assistant Professor, Department of Biomedical Informatics, School of Medicine and Department of Dental Public Health, School of Dental Medicine, and Director, Center for Informatics in Oral Health Translational Research, University of Pittsburgh; Dr. Smith is Associate Clinical Professor, Department of Restorative Clinical Sciences, School of Dentistry, University of Missouri-Kansas City; Dr. Brodie is Associate Dean for Academic Affairs and Associate Professor, College of Dental Medicine, Nova Southeastern University; Dr. Oliveira is Assistant Professor, Department of Restorative Dentistry, School of Dentistry, University of Detroit Mercy; Dr. Handysides is Associate Dean for Academic Affairs and Associate Professor of Endodontics, School of Dentistry, Loma Linda University; Dr. Dawson is Professor and Director, Division of Biostatistics and Research Design, Departments of Pediatric Dentistry and Biostatistics, and Interdisciplinary Programs in Genetics and in Informatics, College of Dentistry & Dental Clinics, University of Iowa; and Dr. Spallek is Pro-Dean and Professor, Faculty of Dentistry, University of Sydney and was Associate Dean for Faculty Affairs, Associate Professor, Dental Public Health, and Executive Director, Center for Informatics in Oral Health Translational Research, School of Dental Medicine, University of Pittsburgh at the time of this study.
authors.forename: Deborah V
authors.initials: DV
authors.lastname: Dawson
authors.affiliation: Dr. Straub-Morarend is Assistant Professor, Department of Family Dentistry, College of Dentistry & Dental Clinics, University of Iowa; Dr. Wankiiri-Hale is Associate Dean for Student Affairs and Assistant Professor, Department of Restorative Dentistry and Comprehensive Care, School of Dental Medicine, University of Pittsburgh; Mr. Blanchette is a Biostatistician, Division of Biostatistics and Research Design, College of Dentistry & Dental Clinics, University of Iowa; Dr. Lanning is Associate Professor, Department of Periodontics, School of Dentistry, Virginia Commonwealth University; Dr. Bekhuis is Assistant Professor, Department of Biomedical Informatics, School of Medicine and Department of Dental Public Health, School of Dental Medicine, and Director, Center for Informatics in Oral Health Translational Research, University of Pittsburgh; Dr. Smith is Associate Clinical Professor, Department of Restorative Clinical Sciences, School of Dentistry, University of Missouri-Kansas City; Dr. Brodie is Associate Dean for Academic Affairs and Associate Professor, College of Dental Medicine, Nova Southeastern University; Dr. Oliveira is Assistant Professor, Department of Restorative Dentistry, School of Dentistry, University of Detroit Mercy; Dr. Handysides is Associate Dean for Academic Affairs and Associate Professor of Endodontics, School of Dentistry, Loma Linda University; Dr. Dawson is Professor and Director, Division of Biostatistics and Research Design, Departments of Pediatric Dentistry and Biostatistics, and Interdisciplinary Programs in Genetics and in Informatics, College of Dentistry & Dental Clinics, University of Iowa; and Dr. Spallek is Pro-Dean and Professor, Faculty of Dentistry, University of Sydney and was Associate Dean for Faculty Affairs, Associate Professor, Dental Public Health, and Executive Director, Center for Informatics in Oral Health Translational Research, School of Dental Medicine, University of Pittsburgh at the time of this study.
authors.forename: Heiko
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Spallek
mesh_terms: D022126:Access to Information; D001291:Attitude of Health Personnel; D001519:Behavior; D002983:Clinical Competence; D032882:Comprehension; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D019992:Databases as Topic; D004497:Education, Dental; D055094:Evidence-Based Dentistry / Q000193:education*; D006801:Humans; D020407:Internet; D007400:Interprofessional Relations; D015201:Meta-Analysis as Topic; D012107:Research Design; D012649:Self Concept; D013223:Statistics as Topic; D013335:Students, Dental / Q000523:psychology*; D013850:Thinking; D014481:United States
keywords: dental education; evidence-based dentistry; evidence-based practice