Related Experiment Videos
Time needed for data collection in clinical studies on fixed prosthodontics
1Department of Prosthodontics, Dental Clinic, University of Tübingen, Germany. martin.groten@med.uni-tuebingen.de
The International Journal of Prosthodontics
|February 3, 2005
Summary
Accurate time and cost appraisals are vital for dental research. This study found that collecting and documenting clinical data for dental studies takes approximately 30 minutes to an hour per patient, aiding efficient study management.
Area of Science:
- Dental Research
- Clinical Study Management
- Health Economics
Background:
- Realistic time and cost appraisals are essential for research grants and financing of clinical studies.
- Limited empirical data exists on the actual time required for clinical data collection in dental studies.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the net patient contact time for collecting and documenting clinical data in dental studies.
- To establish an empirical basis for efficient study management and budgeting in clinical dental research.
Main Methods:
- Recorded clinical examination times for 41 prosthodontic patients during systematic follow-up.
- Included dental status, oral hygiene, and restoration quality assessment (modified CDA criteria).
- Analyzed data to estimate time for specific examination blocks and identify influential variables.
Main Results:
- Dental status and hygiene assessments averaged 5-10 minutes.
- Canadian Dental Association (CDA) criteria ranking correlated linearly with units (approx. 1 minute/unit).
- Documentation time approximated total examination contact time, ranging from 15-30 minutes per patient.
Conclusions:
- The total time for data collection and documentation in clinical dental investigations is substantial (30 minutes to 1 hour).
- Provides empirical data for improved management and budgeting of clinical follow-up periods.
- Essential for enhancing the quality, success, and value of clinical investigations.