Informational resources utilized in clinical decision making: common practices in dentistry

Area of Science:

• Dental Practice
• Information Science
• Evidence-Based Dentistry

Background:

• Dental practitioners rely on scientific information for clinical decision-making.
• Understanding current information resource utilization is crucial for evidence-based dentistry.
• Trends in information acquisition among Iowa dentists were previously unexamined.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the current trends in acquisition and utilization of scientific information resources by Iowa dental practitioners.
• To identify preferred information sources supporting clinical decision-making in dentistry.
• To analyze practice patterns based on graduation decade and scope of practice.

Main Methods:

• A survey questionnaire was mailed to all licensed and practicing dentists in Iowa in September 2009.
• Respondents reported on their utilization of various information sources for clinical decisions.
• Exclusion criteria included full-time faculty at the University of Iowa College of Dentistry.

Main Results:

• Continuing education courses were the most frequently utilized and preferred information source.
• Print journals and consultation with other health care professionals were the next most common sources.
• Significant variations in information resource habits were observed between newer and earlier graduates, and between specialists and general practitioners.

Conclusions:

• Dental practitioners utilize a diverse range of information resources, encompassing both evidence-based and non-evidence-based sources.
• Information-seeking behaviors differ based on career stage and practice specialization.
• These findings highlight the need for tailored continuing education and information dissemination strategies in dentistry.