Have you heard of Evidence-Based Dentistry (EBD)? If not, you’re likely to in the near future. As the American Dental Association (ADA) defines it, Evidence-Based Dentistry is “an approach to oral healthcare that requires the judicious integration of systematic assessments of clinically relevant scientific evidence, relating to the patient’s oral and medical condition and history, with the dentist’s clinical expertise and the patient’s treatment needs and preferences.” If that sounds complicated, it’s really not. In somewhat simpler terms, the dentist who practices EBD is one makes decisions regarding patient care based on the patient’s needs and preferences, in addition to the dentist’s own expertise and current clinical knowledge relevant to the patient’s condition.
What this really means is that any dentist who practices EBD is more likely to be up-to-date with current findings regarding whatever the oral health issues are of the patient. Thanks to research being conducted on oral health issues, our knowledge is constantly expanding. It requires a certain amount of diligence on the part of a dental professional to keep current, and that is exactly why the American Dental Association encourages dentists across the US to practice EBD.
When your dentist combines his or her own expertise with the latest scientific data and cutting-edge treatments, you can be sure that you are receiving the best oral healthcare possible. The American Dental Association provides EBD dental professionals with an extensive database of results from the very latest research. Rather than having to rely on traditional – and possibly outdated – treatments for patients, EBD allows dentists to take into consideration the latest relevant scientific data and use it to optimize treatment for the patient.
At this point, you might think, “Don’t all dentists do this on a regular basis?” While it’s true that any good dentist wants to provide only the best care for his or her patients, not all dental professionals take the time to stay current with the latest research. Given the speed at which studies are being conducted and our knowledge about oral health conditions is growing, it’s easy to understand why some dentists would prefer to rely on conventional, standard treatments for their patients. But traditional treatment methods aren’t always the best choice. Utilizing current scientific research provided through the ADA’s Center for EBD takes dental patient care one step further than conventional treatment. The next time you’re looking for a new dentist, look for one who practices Evidence-Based Dentistry!