First international conference on evidence- based dentistry

Abstract

When I typed “evidence-based dentistry” into the PubMed database, I got something surprising: nothing, a big zero, “no items found.” I was even more surprised during a recent orthodontic meeting to hear disparaging comments about the emergence of evidence-based dentistry as a threat to private practice as we know it, and I heard at least 1 claim that insurance companies and the courts would not hesitate to use such studies against those of us in clinical practice. In my disappointment at hearing these comments, I was at a loss to counter them with any kind of reliable “evidence.” Fortunately, a number of people in dentistry are true believers in evidence-based research, and for this I am thankful. With encouragement from Michael G. Newman, editor of the Journal of Evidence-Based Dental Practice, and the Task Force on Design and Analysis, Mosby (a division of Elsevier and publisher of the AJO-DO) is sponsoring the First International Conference on Evidence-Based Dentistry, November 7-9, 2003, in Atlanta. This conference will allow those with experience in this new methodology to describe how to implement an evidence-based decision-making approach in everyday practice. The task force has been a strong proponent of multidisciplinary efforts to improve product development and assessment methods, and advocates for the proper evaluation and use of the best available evidence in clinical practice. This conference will be a landmark meeting that brings together a wide range of sponsors, partners, researchers, educators, and clinicians. It could become the first in a series of biennial meetings. The goals of the conference are to: •Provide a venue for an accomplished group of international speakers to discuss a broad range of topics associated with the methods and outcomes of evidence-based initiatives and programs.•Provide a context for, and examples of, cutting-edge evidence-based methodologies, skills, and research.•Critically examine barriers and resistance to the evidence-based paradigm.•Begin the process of culture change in education and clinical practice.•Enhance networking and formation of new alliances and partnerships among attendees. The conference proceedings will be published in the Journal of Evidence-Based Dental Practice and will be widely distributed. A look at the promotional brochure should stimulate even the most experienced educator, researcher, or clinician. “What is the difference between systematic reviews and the traditional narrative reviews to which we have grown accustomed?” —Susan Sutherland, Sunnybrook, Toronto, Ontario, Canada “What is evidence-based practice? Are evidence-based guidelines and parameters helpful, or are they infringements on the autonomy of the clinician?” —Francesco Chiappelli, UCLA, and John Gunsolley, University of Maryland, Baltimore “The difference between statistical significance and clinical significance is not easy to understand. What have other health care disciplines done to understand and reconcile the differences?” —Philippe Hujoel, University of Washington, Seattle “Research suggests it will take a generation to change the behavior of dentists towards becoming evidence-based thinkers and clinicians. What is being done today to integrate evidence into various levels of dental education?” —Debora Matthews, Dalhousie University, Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada “What are the legal and ethical obligations of all stakeholders in the health care system? How do practitioners reconcile their conflict of interest between doing the ‘right’ thing and ensuring their practice remains profitable?” —William Maas, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta These comments are just a sampling of what you can expect to hear during this conference. I plan to be there, and I'll look for you. Letters to the editor: Searching PubMed for evidence-based dentistryAmerican Journal of Orthodontics and Dentofacial OrthopedicsVol. 125Issue 1Preview Full-Text PDF Does “evidence-based research” provide needed evidence?American Journal of Orthodontics and Dentofacial OrthopedicsVol. 125Issue 1Preview Full-Text PDF