A practical approach to evidence-based dentistry

Scientific evidence is a crucial underpinning of clinical practice. Nevertheless, the first series of articles aimed at providing clinicians with guidelines for critically appraising the evidence that informs clinical practices did not appear until 1981. 1 How to read clinical journals, part I: why to read them and how to start reading them critically. Can Med Assoc J. 1981; 124: 555-558 PubMed Google Scholar Ten years later, the term “evidence-based medicine” 2 Guyatt GH Evidence-based medicine. ACP J Club. 1991; 114: A-16 Google Scholar first appeared in the medical literature. Subsequently, between 1993 and 2000, a group of evidence-based medicine enthusiasts 3 Evidence-Based Medicine Working Group Evidence-based medicine: a new approach to teaching the practice of medicine. JAMA. 1992; 268: 2420-2425 Crossref PubMed Scopus (3698) Google Scholar published a series of 25 articles that aimed at assisting clinicians in understanding and applying the medical literature to their clinical decision making in a clinical setting. 4 Guyatt GH Rennie D Users’ guides to the medical literature. JAMA. 1993; 270: 2096-2097 Crossref PubMed Scopus (253) Google Scholar