Chapter 20: Evaluation of Scientific Literature and Dental Products

Evaluation of Scientific Literature and Dental Products

Introduction

• Faculty: Renee Hastings, RDH, BSDH
• Course: DHY 221, Spring 2025

Regulation of Dental Products

• Patients often seek product advice from dental hygienists.
• Importance of understanding research reports for informed advice.
• FDA (Food & Drug Administration):
  • Part of Department of Health and Human Services.
  • Voluntarily corrects problems with dental products.
  • Enforces product recalls when necessary.
  • Provides medical bulletins regarding oral health products.

American Dental Association (ADA)

• Provides guidelines on testing and advertising dental products.
• ADA Seal:
  • Indicates endorsement; however, it is not government regulated.
  • Manufacturers must apply for the seal which must be renewed periodically.
  • ADA reviews advertising claims for products carrying their seal to ensure accuracy.

Research Sources for Dental Care Products

• Peer-reviewed Articles:
  • Reviewed by dental health experts for content accuracy.
  • Requires submission to a journal editor and thorough review by impartial reviewers.
• Reliable Resources:
  • Dental hygiene schools, faculty, and coursework.
  • Professional organizations found on the internet (avoid non-professional sources like Instagram).
  • PubMed:
  • A resource from the US National Library of Medicine, National Institutes of Health, and other governmental agencies.

Evaluation of Scientific Literature

• Dental hygienists should rely on various sources for product and treatment information:
  • Published research reports.
  • Literature reviews.
  • Commentaries.
  • Literature Reviews:
  • Introduction summarizing the significance of the topic.
  • Main body discussing advantages and disadvantages based on multiple studies.
  • Types:
    • Systematic Review: Combines findings from numerous studies into collective insights.
    • Meta-analysis: Analyzes data gathered from different studies.

Levels of Evidence From Information Sources

• Hierarchy:
  1. Systematic Reviews and Meta-analyses
  2. Randomized Controlled Double Blind Studies
  3. Cohort Studies
  4. Case Control Studies
  5. Case Series
  6. Case Reports
  7. Ideas, Editorials, Opinions
  8. Animal Research
  9. In vitro ('test tube') research

Understanding Study Types

• Randomized Control Trials: Controlled experimental studies on medications/conditions with placebo groups.
• Cohort Studies: Non-experimental studies observing groups with known risk factors (e.g., smokers) over time, without pre-existing conditions in subjects.
• Case Control Studies: Non-experimental observational studies linking disease outcomes with risk factors by looking retrospectively.
• Case Series/Reports: Narrative reviews used often in dental literature; helpful for forming hypotheses based on anecdotal evidence.

Assessment of a Scientific Study

• Key Components:
  • Title: Indicates purpose and main concept.
  • Authors and Affiliations: Ensures credibility.
  • Abstract: Summarizes content without exceeding 250 words.
  • Literature Review: Outline of previous research on the topic.
  • Methodology:
  • Sample selection/size (random, sufficiently large).
  • Ethical considerations (approved protocols).
  • Research design (e.g., double-blind).
  • Product usage details (methods of application).
  • Endpoints (effectiveness of treatment).
• Results: Comparison of findings with other studies.
• Conclusion/Recommendations: Summarizes implications and potential for further research.

Conclusion

• The integrity of the source is critical when searching for information or answering patient queries.
• Following structured steps when researching will provide solid, evidence-based answers.

References

• Nathe, C. N. (2017). Dental Public Health & Research: Contemporary Practice for the Dental Hygienist. (4th ed.). Pearson.