Journal of Indian Association of Public Health Dentistry

ORIGINAL ARTICLE
Year
: 2017  |  Volume : 15  |  Issue : 3  |  Page : 239--243

Knowledge, attitude, and practices toward evidence-based dentistry among dentists of Bengaluru city


Uma Shankarachari Rajagopalachari, Manjunath P Puranik, Soni Rajput 
 Department of Public Health Dentistry, Government Dental College and Research Institute, Bengaluru, Karnataka, India

Correspondence Address:
Uma Shankarachari Rajagopalachari
Department of Public Health Dentistry, Government Dental College and Research Institute, Victoria Hospital Premises, Fort, Bengaluru - 560 002, Karnataka
India

Introduction: In these challenging times, practice of dentistry is becoming more complex. Evidence-based dentistry (EBD) strengthen the profession by identifying knowledge gaps, confidence in clinical decision making and encourage to formulate clear questions regarding the evidence needed. It closes the gap between clinical research and real-world practice and provides tools to interpret and apply research findings. Aim: This study aims to describe the knowledge, attitudes, and practices of dentists toward the concept of EBD. Materials and Methods: A cross-sectional survey was conducted among a representative sample of 300 dentists in dental colleges and private practices of Bengaluru city using a self-administered questionnaire. Descriptive statistics was computed. The frequency for each domain of knowledge, attitude, and practice was calculated after giving weight age for each option. For statistical analysis, t-test was used. P < 0.05 was considered statistically significant. Results: Mean age of the dentists was 32.9 ± 8.1 years. Mean knowledge, attitude, and practice were 17.41 ± 6.45, 1.92 ± 0.75, and 17.06 ± 3.05, respectively. Majority of them relied on their own judgment as a guide to primary care practice. Very less number of dentists relied on Cochrane library as a reliable source for evidence-based practice. Conclusions: Although the dentists were generally aware of the concept of EBD very little use of this concept in clinical practice was followed quoting lack of access as a barrier. However, the reflected attitudes toward EBD were good with most of the respondents expressing an interest in having further education in this concept.


How to cite this article:
Rajagopalachari US, Puranik MP, Rajput S. Knowledge, attitude, and practices toward evidence-based dentistry among dentists of Bengaluru city.J Indian Assoc Public Health Dent 2017;15:239-243


How to cite this URL:
Rajagopalachari US, Puranik MP, Rajput S. Knowledge, attitude, and practices toward evidence-based dentistry among dentists of Bengaluru city. J Indian Assoc Public Health Dent [serial online] 2017 [cited 2024 Mar 28 ];15:239-243
Available from: https://journals.lww.com/aphd/pages/default.aspx/article.asp?issn=2319-5932;year=2017;volume=15;issue=3;spage=239;epage=243;aulast=Rajagopalachari;type=0