research methods unit 1

four major eras in the evolution of dental research

the age of expert

the age of professionalism

the age of science

the age of evidence

Why study the history of research?

appreciation of progress

foundation for future learning

critical thinking

professional growth

Research is defined as

the systematic investigation into and study of materials and sources in order to establish facts and reach new conclusions (Oxford Languages, 2024).

Guy de Chauliac          

A French surgeon who believed that tooth decay was caused by tooth worms. The worms would eat holes in the teeth. To treat it, he prescribed a mouthwash and that the tooth be stuffed with "pills made of small seeds of leek or onion, hyoscyamus mashed with cow fat" (Rosenman, L. 2007).  

Pierre Fauchard                                         

is considered the father of the dental profession. He researched treatments of dental diseases due to his naval fleet experiencing them. He published the first dental text - The Surgeon Dentist in 1728, which covered all aspects of dental practice, including restorative dentistry, prosthodontics, oral surgery, periodontics, and orthodontics (Newman, n.d.). 

Dr. Edmund Kells                                          

He was the inventor of the surgical aspirator (suction), used compressed air, and built an electrical control panel that ran an electric dental handpiece (Lane Community College, n.d.). He was also one of the first dentists in the United States to expose a dental radiograph, hired female dental assistants, used conservative cavity preps and attempted to prevent dental extractions by performing endodontic procedures (Kracher CM. 2000).

Dr. Edward Angle  

He is known as the "father of orthodontics" (Ghodasra R, Brizuela M. 2023). He established the 3 classes of malocclusion and invented appliances for orthodontic treatment (Pieren, J., & Amyot, C. C., 2025).

Dr. Alfred Civillion Fones  

• developed dh profession and public health focus

• started the first dental hygiene school

• He also spoke of a connection between oral health and systemic health and the dental hygienist’s role in addressing systemic conditions of the school children by implementing preventive oral health programs (Beatty, C. 2022).

what is an era

distinct period of time characterized by the particular events that sets it apart from other periods.

they are used to describe significant events in the evolution of dental research.

what is evidence based dental hygiene

• students learn the practice of dental hygiene based on independent research done by other practitoners and scientists

what does Evidence-based practice suggest

• we ONLY apply best practices, evidence-informed promotes including qualitative research and including the client’s values in the decision-making process. 

what is evidence informed decision making

• Is “the integration of the best research evidence with clinical expertise and client values.”

what does evidence informed decision making encompas

1. scientific evidence (the highest quality of clinically relevant research)

2. clinical circumstances (the individual elements of the situation that are important to consider when providing care to the patient, i.e., age, disease, prognosis, etc)

3. client values (the unique preferences, concerns, and expectations that each client brings to a clinical encounter, i.e., culture, communication, religion, etc)

4. experience and judgment (the ability to use clinical skills and past experience to rapidly identify each client's unique health state and diagnosis, individual risks and benefits of potential interventions, and personal values and expectations)

qualitative research

• Collecting and analyzing non-numerical data (e.g., text, video, or audio)

• to understand concepts, opinions, or experiences.

• It can be used to gather in-depth insights into a problem or generate new ideas for research.

ex "Exploring the Experiences of Dental Hygienists Working in Long-Term Care Facilities"

quantitative research

• The process of collecting and analyzing numerical data.

• It can be used to find patterns and averages, make predictions, test causal relationships, and generalize results to wider populations.

"Effectiveness of Chlorhexidine Mouthrinse in Reducing Plaque and Gingivitis: A Randomized Controlled Trial"

mixed methods research

A combination of both quantitative and qualitative components, simultaneously or sequentially in the same research project.

"Evaluating the Implementation of an Oral Health Education Program in Underserved Schools"

why does understanding research types matter

•  strengthens your ability to interpret evidence

• Helps you apply findings to real-world dental hygiene practice