Evidence-based Practice is the buzzword of the new millennium, but what does it mean?

This was defined in the British Dental Journal in November 2002 as:

"practice that integrates evidence, clinical experience
and patient preference"

Understanding the patient's concerns is self evident but when translating this into treatment options, it is not sufficient to rely just on clinical experience.

It is also essential to respect scientific evidence. This requires an understanding of what constitutes impartial and objective research conducted according to recognised rules. These rules determine whether the results are valid and thus constitute evidence.

The process of understanding quality research and integrating this into clinical practice is an important part of specialist training. It is all too easy to be taken in by the latest gadget just because it is new and heavily marketed by the manufacturer. Properly conducted scientific evaluation is always necessary.

This section of the website aims to provide information on orthodontic treatment, including some controversial areas.

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