Senior Dental Students’ Perceptions of Evidence‐Based Dentistry

Introduction

The study aimed to assess senior dental students’ knowledge and attitudes regarding evidence-based dentistry (EBD), their use of the current literature, and considerations for patient preferences.

Materials and Methods

A modified Knowledge, Attitudes, Access, and Confidence Evaluation (KACE) survey was administered to collect data from senior dental students at the University of Maryland School of Dentistry (UMSOD). Chi-square test was used to compare the correct response rates of each question in the knowledge of scientific evidence domain. The Spearman’s rank correlation coefficient was conducted to examine correlations between students’ knowledge of scientific evidence and their confidence in appraising the study qualities.

Results

61 seniors (out of 130) answered all survey questions. Participants displayed an intermediate level of knowledge of EBD. Only 15% participants correctly answered to the most appropriate design; the distribution of responses appeared significantly different among the questions in the basic knowledge section (Chi-square, p<0.0001). There were no or very weak correlation between students’ knowledge of scientific evidence and their confidence in appraising study qualities (Spearman ρ = 0–0.18). The participants highly valued the use of the current literature and patient preferences. However, their preferred sources of scientific evidence were the internet excluding Cochrane reviews (60%) and colleagues (56%). Forty percent of participants rarely or never used textbooks.

Conclusion

While seniors felt confident in evaluating study qualities and implementing EBD in routine practice, their understanding on the study design was poor. Seniors’ preferred sources of scientific evidence were non-peer reviewed internet sources and colleagues.

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