Team Science: Lessons Learned in 14 Years of the National-Dental-PBRN

Objectives: Describe team science lessons learned from National Dental Practice-Based Research Network (“network”; NationalDentalPBRN.org) activities.
Methods: The network is an interdisciplinary collaboration of clinical researchers (dentistry, behavioral sciences, biostatistics, medicine, health economics) seeking to improve oral health by conducting/disseminating research with dental professionals and their patients. The network, operating since 2005, includes 7,000+ members, a National Administrative/Resource Center, a Data Coordinating Center, and six U.S. regional nodes, enabling diversity in geography, patient populations, and practice types. Team science activities are administered centrally and regionally, the latter mainly focused on direct practitioner interaction. The network’s administrative system is designed to optimize decision-making and practitioner involvement, while enabling consensus building and Continuous Quality Improvement (CQI).
Results: To date, 38 studies have been conducted, enrolling 15,704 practitioner and 63,873 patient participants; leading to 143 peer-reviewed publications in 43 different scientific journal titles. The network became intentional about maximizing the practicality of research in routine clinical practice. Practitioner input is obtained at every step of the study development/implementation/dissemination process. A healthy tension exists between research and clinical practice regarding the need to collect detailed, comprehensive data in busy dental clinics. The network purposely evolved into a “learning health system” where science, informatics, and culture are aligned for CQI, reflecting a cycle where research informs practice and practice informs research. Processes evolved to benefit nodes directly and indirectly from the expertise of other nodes. Certain personnel in one node may be especially experienced in meeting a specific goal. Other goals may be met by dividing the total workload into equal parts, with subsequent aggregation into a single work-product. These lessons learned have helped to streamline practice-based research.
Conclusions: The network is effective because it exemplifies effective team science. Lessons learned from studies/processes have improved subsequent studies, processes, and scientific productivity.