Evidence-based care and curriculum

An evidence-based (EB) approach has been a significant driver in reforming healthcare
over the past two decades. This change has extended across a broad range of health
professions, including oral healthcare. A key element in achieving an EB approach to
oral healthcare is educating our practitioners, both current and future. This involves
providing opportunities integrated within simulated and actual clinical settings for
practitioners to learn and apply the principles and processes of evidence-based oral
healthcare (EBOHC). Therefore, the focus of this discussion will be on ways in which
EBOHC and associated research activities can be implemented into curricula, with the
aim of improving patient care. This paper will initially define the scope of EBOHC
and research, what these involve, why they are important, and issues that we need to
manage when implementing EBOHC. This will be followed by a discussion of factors
that enable successful implementation of EBOHC and research into curricula. The
paper concludes with suggestions on the future of EBOHC and research in curricula.
Key recommendations related to curricula include strengthening of the culture of a
scientific approach to education and oral healthcare provision; complete integration of
EBOHC into the curriculum at all levels; and faculty development to implement EBOHC
based on their needs and evidence of effective approaches. Key recommendations
to support implementation and maintenance of EBOHC include recognition and funding
for high-quality systematic reviews and development of associated methodologies
relevant for global environments; building global capacity of EBOHC researchers;
research into improving translation of effective interventions into education and
healthcare practice, including patient-reported outcomes, safety and harms, understanding
and incorporation of patient values into EB decision-making, economic evaluation
research specific to oral healthcare and effective methods for changing
practitioner (faculty) behaviours; and extend access to synthesized research in ‘user
friendly’ formats and languages tailored to meet users’ needs. Realizing these recommendations
may help to improve access to effective healthcare as a basic human right.