Evidence-based dental practice and clinical diagnosis

Abstract

Evidence-based dentistry and its application in making diagnosis result in a significant reduction of errors. The frequency of errors depends not only on accuracy of a diagnostic pathological test but also on the prior chance of disease being present. For deciding the usefulness of diagnostic test, an added component to take into account is the relative value of the probable health states resulting from diagnosis and therapy. These can be determined by information obtained from the patient and the numerical values of the probable dental health status with the help of a visual analogue scale (VAS) technique. Clinical decision analysis can then be accomplished to calculate the applicable diagnostic approach for the patient. Clinical decision analysis is commencing to imprint the development of guidelines for the diagnostic convenience of radiographs although its further use in dentistry needs refinement and development.