How to Evaluate Clinical Trials in Contemporary Dental Journals

Knowing how to rightly interpret studies is important for dental clinicians so they can glean pertinent information that can be applied to patient care. This article describes the contents that are included in the introduction, methods and materials, results, and discussion sections of a clinical trial and emphasizes several important statistical concepts, including why a statistically significant difference does not necessarily translate to a clinically significant finding. The authors conclude that critical analyzation of a clinical trial enhances evidence-based clinical practice.