Evidence and the Practice of Prosthodontics: 20 Years after EBD Introduction

• Published in: Journal of prosthodontics Vol. 24; no. 1; pp. 12 - 16
• Main Author: Carr, Alan B.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: United States Blackwell Publishing Ltd 01.01.2015; Wiley Subscription Services, Inc
• Subjects: care outcomes; Delivery of Health Care - legislation & jurisprudence; Delivery of Health Care - trends; Dentistry; Education, Dental; Evidence-based dentistry; Evidence-Based Medicine; Health care industry; Health care policy; health care reform; Health Care Reform - legislation & jurisprudence; Humans; oral health; prosthodontics; Prosthodontics - legislation & jurisprudence; Prosthodontics - trends; oral health; health care reform; prosthodontics; Evidence-based dentistry; evidence-based medicine; care outcomes
• ISSN: 1059-941X; 1532-849X
• DOI: 10.1111/jopr.12232

Prosthodontics has a rich history related to the principles embedded in evidence‐based health care. This paper reviews the evidence‐based prosthodontics activity over the past 3 decades. It also discusses the impact of health care reform on evidence‐based medicine as it relates to broader context of care outcomes. Finally, the value associated with an Evidence Stewardship emphasis in prosthodontics is presented. This emphasis suggests that combining evidence from clinical trials with evidence from clinical practice environments best equips clinicians for the management of patients in the future. Adoption of a strategic Evidence Stewardship direction is an extended commitment to change that recognizes health care reform aims and seeks to be an accountable provider group in the broader health care arena. The vision to form a representative network of prosthodontic practitioners that augments a commitment to Cochrane “clinical trial” data demonstrates a responsibility to professional transparency about who we are, adds value for patients and oral health care providers, impacts teachers and students in dental education, and provides a measure of care accountability unique in dentistry.