The following model illustrates an ongoing process that can lead to evidence-based dental hygiene practice. Major components of this model parallel the EBDM process in three areas: education, practice and research. Those involved in each area need to receive training in EBDM concepts and skills before this approach can be fully integrated into education and practice, or used to guide research activities. After that point, additional training needs, roles and responsibilities become more delineated. This does not mean that educators and clinicians will not be conducting or participating in research, but rather illustrates the major focus of each domain. All three are interdependent and critical to the success of evidence-based dental hygiene practice.
Conducting a baseline assessment is the second step of this model that allows the dental hygiene researcher, practitioner and educator to evaluate current practices, identify problems and gaps in evidence and identify needed resources. Systematic reviews of oral health questions specifically related to dental hygiene care and interventions also would be identified during this phase. Sharing results and setting priorities would then follow. Ideally, a national workshop would facilitate this phase and an ongoing mechanism to coordinate evidence-based dental hygiene activities would be established.
Next, the problems identified in the assessment phase, and discussed and prioritized in the sharing stage must be formulated into specific answerable questions. These questions will be answered by searching the literature for sound evidence to resolve inconsistencies, fill gaps in curricula and/or substantiate or develop guidelines. Searching the literature should be a shared responsibility of the groups. Dividing topics or problem areas avoids duplication of efforts and resources. For example, each graduate dental hygiene program could take responsibility for a separate priority area. Finally, after following the critical analysis process and applying the findings, results must be disseminated so that others can benefit and the process begin again addressing a new question or problem area.
