Scientific Research and Evidence-based Oral Health

Investigação Científica e Medicina Dentária Baseada na Evidência

Curse code:9548118

João Eduardo da Fonseca de Freitas Dias

Learning outcomes of the curricular unit:

The dentistry is going through profound changes regarding the use of new technologies in different areas. In parallel, there is a universal concern to make health care more efficient, less onerous without, however, compromising the quality of care. It is essential that the dentist is well informed about the latest developments in dentistry. We witnessed the exponential growth of information and treatment options elapsing of increasing proliferation of scientific publications. However, there are few decisions that are being taken as a result of good evidence. This is caused, on one hand, as the consequence of the excessive amount of published evidence and on the other hand, the quality of evidence is not always the best. With the EBM practice the future Dentist should be able to analyse, evaluate and interpret critically a scientific paper using the guidelines for systematic analysis and, finally, determining the relevance and usefulness of this for their future clinical practice.

Syllabus:

1. Introduction to the methodology of scientific thought.
2. Scientific research in biological sciences.
3. Research method and methodology.
4. Quantitative and Qualitative Research.
5. Descriptive, Experimental and Correlational Research.
6. Generic steps of a research project.
7. Essential steps of an investigation.
8. Bibliographic searches.
9. Types of scientific information (primary and secondary).
10. General layout of a scientific paper.
11. Bibliographical Reviews (narrative review and systematic review).
12. Meta analysis.
13. Critical assessment of systematic reviews.
14. Experimental design. Types of clinical trials: observational and experimental.
15. Measures of association in clinical studies.
16. Evidence Based Dentistry (MDBE).
17. Evidence Levels.
18. Critical appraisal of scientific literature.
19. Populations and sampling.
20. Choice of variables.
21. Statistics.
22. Scientific production Presentation.

Suggested Bibliography:

• Hulley S, Cummings S, Browner W, Kluwer W (2013) Designing Clinical Research. 4th ed., Lippincott Williams & Wilkins, Philadelphia. ISBN 978-1-4698-40536.
• Greenhalgh T (1997) “How to read a paper. The Basics of Evidence Based Medicine”. BMJ Puhlishing Group, London. ISBN 0-7279-1578-9.
• Richards D. Clarkson J, Matthews D, Niederman R (2008) Evidence-based Dentistry: Managing Information for Better Practice. Quintessencials Pub co. ISBN-13: 978-1-85097-126-9.
• Bailey DM, Company DAV (1997) Research for the Health Professional – A practical Guide. Philadelphia. ISBN 0-8036-0151-4.
• Estrela C (2005) Metodologia científica: ciência; ensino; pesquisa. 2ª ed., São Paulo, Artes Médicas. ISBN 85-7404-046-0.