Evidence-based dentistry: Knowledge, Practice, Confidence and Attitude amongst Malaysian dental undergraduate students: A Multi-institutional study

Evidence-based dental practice provides patient-centred, compatible and efficient interventions and forms the basis for health profession education. So far, there is a paucity of data about Malaysian undergraduate dental education and the role of evidence-based dentistry in it. The current research aimed to study the level of knowledge, attitude, practice and confidence of dental undergraduate students in Malaysia towards evidence-based dental practice.

This cross-sectional study included final-year undergraduate dental students (N = 645) who completed a pre-tested self-administered questionnaire that analysed the domains of perceived knowledge, practice, critical appraisal and attitude towards evidence-based dentistry. We further explored the association between these domains with the type of curriculum, sex, prior research experience and EBD training.

A total of (n = 526) students participated (response rate of 81.55%). About 92% knew about evidence-based dentistry. Whilst 58% had undergone formal training in evidence-based dentistry, 90% of the respondents showed an overall positive attitude towards evidence-based dentistry. However, only 45% of them practised it most of the time. Schools with an integrated curriculum showed more willingness and practised evidence-based dentistry more frequently (p < 0.001). More than 50% of the participants rated their confidence in appraisal as moderate.

Our findings revealed that Malaysian dental undergraduate students who are well aware of evidence-based dentistry displayed a positive attitude towards it. The type of dental curriculum had a significant association with practice and attitude towards evidence-based dental knowledge and practice.