Practice, complexity and evidence-based practice.

Area of Science:

• Dentistry
• Complexity Science
• Knowledge Management

Background:

• Special care dentistry often deals with complex patient needs and practice environments.
• Traditional research models may not fully capture the nuances of clinical practice.
• The concept of 'complexity' is viewed differently in practice versus linear research models.

Purpose of the Study:

• To explore the concept of practice complexity in special care dentistry.
• To contrast linear research models with the situated nature of knowledge in practice.
• To propose alternative methods for evaluating and improving complex practices.

Main Methods:

• Conceptual analysis of 'practice' and 'complexity'.
• Comparison of knowledge perspectives: research vs. practice.
• Discussion of linear models vs. complexity science.
• Exploration of narrative and exploratory methods.

Main Results:

• Knowledge in practice is shared, transitory, and interaction-based, not a fixed entity.
• Linear models from research contrast with the inherent complexity of practice.
• A paradox exists when aligning linear research with practical complexity.

Conclusions:

• Linear models are insufficient for understanding the complexity of special care dentistry practice.
• Narrative and exploratory methods are better suited to making practice complexity transparent and interpretable.
• Evaluating and improving practice requires methods that embrace its complexity.