Assessing Awareness, Understanding, and Implementation of Evidence-Based Dentistry

Objectives: Despite the efforts towards awareness and dissemination, evidence-based interventions (EBIs) do not reach the appropriate acceptance level for implementation in clinical practice. With regards to the acceptance and implementation of EBIs in general practice, the literature mentions that the barriers for acceptance and implementation of EBIs are attributed to the practitioner's lack of awareness of the potential benefits from the treatments, resulting from a lack of knowledge and understanding of evidence-based healthcare.
The objective of our study was to assess in a group of practicing dentist’s knowledge and understanding of evidence-based practices and their implementation
Methods: For the purpose of the study, we identified systematic reviews and evidence-based guidelines published with findings that can be translated into everyday practice. We created a short questionnaire which was administered using NYU Survey Service Qualtrics to practicing dentists – we collected anonymous responses to our inquiry. The overall results were analyzed to evaluate the general knowledge and understanding of evidence-based practices and their acceptance and implementation into clinical decision making.
Results: An evaluation of the questionnaire determined that 80% of the dentists who responded do not understand the results of the studies/guidelines and that may be the barrier for the acceptance and implementation. Additionally, most of the respondents were unable to differentiate between statistical significance and clinical relevance.
Conclusions: It is imperative to bring awareness and understanding of evidence-based dentistry, systematic reviews, and evidence-based guidelines and their applicability to everyday practice to a significant portion of current dental practitioners in order to compensate for lack of prior education