Introduction

Question 1

Differentiate descriptive and analytic epidemiology.

Answer 1

Descriptive Epidemiology: Examining the distribution of a disease in a population, and observing the basic features of its distribution in terms of time, place, and person

Analytic Epidemiology: Testing a specific hypothesis about the relationship of a disease to a cause/risk factor by conducting epidemiologic studies

Question 2

Define “evidence based practice”

Answer 2

It is a clinical decision making framework which involves assessing clinically relevant scientific evidence that relate to the patient’s oral conditions. This is in combination with the dentist’s clinical expertise and patient’s needs and preferences

Question 3

List the steps in EBP in clinical decision making.

Answer 3

• Assess the patient and ask questions
• Acquire evidence
• Appraise the evidence
• Apply
• Evaluate

Question 4

Define the “assess” stage in EBP

Answer 4

• It’s about asking the patients questions
• Medical history
• Clinical examinations

Question 5

Define the “acquire” stage in EBP

Answer 5

• Books
• Websites
• Journal articles (peer reviewed articles, systematic reviews)
• Databases (Medline, Embase, PubMed, Cochrane Library)
• Unpublished research
• Protocols and guidelines
• Newspapers
• Colleagues

Question 6

Define the “appraise” stage in EBP

Answer 6

• Are the results of the study valid? (validity)

* What were the results? (consistency, size, precision

Question 7

Define the “apply” stage in EBP

Answer 7

• Determine whether the evidence ‘fits’ with the features of the client’s context
• Consider cost
• Consider patient preference
• Consider side effects

Question 8

Define the “evaluate” stage in EBP

Answer 8

• Evaluating your use of the various skills and strategies involved can help you to refine the process