Evidence-Based Dentistry Action Plan

ACTION PLAN OUTLINE TO EDUCATE MEMBERS ON EVIDENCE-BASED DENTISTRY

(Approved by the CDA Board of Trustees, September 2002, per CDA House Resolution 23S1-2000)

The California Dental Association acknowledges that evidence-based dentistry (EBD) is a reality and its influence on clinical practice, dental education, research, consumer guidelines, public perception and benefit plans will continue to grow.  External forces, such as guidelines-setting government agencies, and internal forces, such as dental school curriculum, are pushing forward on the evidence-based approach.  CDA and its members should be knowledgeable in all aspects of EBD in order to determine how it can best be used to improve the oral health of the public and also in furthering the mission of the organization.

CDA will take the following actions:

I. Concur with the following definition adopted by the American Dental Association, and support and implement activities complementary to the ADA’s policy statement and action plan:

Evidence-based dentistry (EBD) is an approach to oral health care 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.

II. Educate members on all aspects of EBD using available communications and educational resources, such as publications, CDA Online, Scientific Sessions and any communications and educational resources as made available to CDA by the component dental societies.  Specific actions include:

• Present an EBD panel discussion at Spring 2003 Scientific Session.  Panel could be comprised of 1 moderator to provide background and up to 3 additional speakers on varying viewpoints—clinical research, academia, private practice dentist, third-party payer and liability insurance, for example.  Space has been reserved.  Panel discussion would be put together in conjunction with the Division of Professional Development and Relations.
• Generate story ideas or leads for development as articles for publication in the CDA Update or the Impressions section of the CDA Journal.  This can be done at any opportunity. Public Policy Division staff can work with publications staff.  Cost is minimal.  Ongoing activity.
• Develop content for an EBD page on CDA Online.  Development cost is minimal; design cost unknown or may be covered by Online budget.  To be completed by end of 2003.
• Write a brief series of articles for distribution to component dental societies for use in their newsletters.  One writer to do the series, or recruit some writers to do one article each.  Cost is minimal.  Major portion of series to be completed by end of 2004, with occasional follow-up articles.
• Continue to discuss with the CDA Editor a possible future issue of the CDA Journal devoted to evidence-based dentistry.

III. Establish an ad hoc EBD task force for 2003 and 2004, whose members are responsible for monitoring internal and external EBD activities and would implement specific programs as approved by the Board of Trustees.  One member from the four Public Policy councils and one other CDA member will be appointed by the president to the task force.  The task force will report and make recommendations for actions or programs, including coordination with the American Dental Association on EBD programs where appropriate, to the Public Policy councils.  Its activities would be reported to the Board of Trustees by the Division of Public Policy.