Dr. Gillette: Yes, without a doubt. I believe that dental hygienists are important for translating science to public and implementing science-based protocols. Check the Accreditation Standards for Dental Hygiene Education Programs. I believe the educational infrastructure needed to teach EBD in dental hygiene schools is already there. In dental and dental hygiene programs, a formalized course of study should be delivered early in the program. If you go to the ADA Center for Evidence-based Dentistry, there are many resources.(7) There are also resources on how to teach EBD.(8) I like the case presentation model where students use an EBD approach to address a clinical patient scenario. The PICO question and the search itself are developed according to the case, but I believe that critical appraisal of the information garnered is the most important aspect of the process. MPG: If so, how do you think EBD information should be disseminated? Evidence-Based Decision Making book cover Dr. Gillette: For practicing dentists and dental hygienists, in all settings (public health, private practice, education, corporate, etc dental supplies.) one way is to create an EBD learning environment by creating an EBD team. This can be done in a dental or dental hygiene component, a study club, or through web-based online sources. Basically, it means finding like-minded people and working together to learn EBD and answer clinical questions. Questions and topics presented by patients are often priority areas to begin investigating dental equipment. If you’re new to EBD and live in a university city or town, a medical librarian may be available to help you develop your search. However, there are many excellent resources that your EBD team can use to learn the principles of EBD. For self-guided learning, one resource that I’ve used myself is the workbook Evidence-Based Decision Making.(9) MPG: If a dental hygienist works in a private dental office, and the dentist is not on board with EBD (and the dental hygienist is) what steps would you suggest persuading the dentist to this point of view? Evidence-based decision making intersecting circles Dr dental file. Gillette: I would say the dental hygienist should begin to satisfy their scientific curiosity within the dental hygiene community, perhaps in small groups like EBD study clubs. Another way is to suggest putting EBD practices into the standard operating procedures (SOP), or protocols, of the office. Community Health Centers have requirements to engage in Quality Assurance/Quality Improvement Programs. EBD would be easy to implement in these types of programs.