Evidence-based dentistry: Part II. Searching for answers to clinical questions: how to use MEDLINE

The ability to conduct efficient literature searches is fundamental to the practice of evidence-based dentistry. In the second part of this series on evidence-based dentistry, strategic literature search techniques are discussed. MEDLINE, because of its breadth, depth and continuous maintenance by the U.S. National Library of Medicine (NLM), is the best source of evidence for health care. Although there are many gateways to MEDLINE, this paper highlights the user-friendly versions of MEDLINE offered free on the Internet by the NLM. The use of well-established search tactics and the unique features of the NLM sites facilitate rapid, effective literature searches.