Introduction

The age of technology has brought forth a myriad of automated oral hygiene self-care devices proclaiming to improve oral health. It is not unusual to find consumer and professional advertising touting statistically significant findings from clinical research. Both practitioners and clients often make recommendations and purchases based on such information. However, a statistically significant result does not always translate into a clinically relevant outcome. This course discusses the evidence-based methodology as a template for decision making and reviews popular automated self-care devices focusing on evidence, statistical significance, clinical relevance, and practical application.