Evidence-Based Methodology

Oral health practitioners make hundreds of decisions daily, which impact the health and welfare of clients. Currently, a primary factor influencing this process is prior clinical experience and intuition. Recently, dentistry has embraced evidence-based decision making, a method utilized by medicine for many years.1

Evidence-based methodology focuses on using findings from clinical research as the primary rationale for clinical decision making. Traditional skills of intuition and past experience, while not discarded, are equalized and become balanced part of clinical decision making rather than the primary factor. The goal from this method is to achieve a more standardized approach to decision making often via the development of clinical practice guidelines. Ultimately, practitioners seek improved clinical outcomes from using this methodology.

A primary component of utilizing evidence-based methodology is learning to critically appraise the relevant research literature. Research rarely can define a therapy as right or wrong. More often, it demonstrates an important effect and potential for improving client care.2 The synergism between research and experience comes into play with the practitioner identifying possible treatment considerations and making appropriate applications based on each individual’s unique, clinical situation.1

Some studies carry more weight than others—particularly randomized clinical trials as the drug, product, or therapy is tested on real subjects (in-vivo) as opposed to a laboratory setting (in-vitro).2 This is particularly important for automated self-care products where the unique conditions of the oral cavity plus the dexterity and motivation of the client all play an important role in product efficacy.