CENTERE FOR EVIDENCE - BASED DENTISTRY

At the advent of the millennium it is indeed an exciting time for dentistry. Materials, techniques, and technology, which could only be dreamt about two decades back, are a reality. The transformation in dental sciences has been radical and dramatic. But as we stand poised at the brink of 2000, a deeper introspection is essential. Focus in dental teaching and practice still remains mechanical, based on whims and empiricism rather than scientific evidence. Dental education still strives to teach students to do mechanical dentistry the right way (Tedesco 1995). Dental teaching curricula have two distinct sets of courses; basic science and clinical. The translation of biologic knowledge into clinical training is weak (Jeffcoat & Clark, 1999). The integration of basic sciences and clinical skills remains questionable.

The rapid advent of newer materials leads to an undue hurry to absorb newer materials and techniques without reviewing outcome evaluation studies related to dental therapy. All improvements require change but not all change is improvement. Which is which? This requires measurement and interpretation. The introduction of Evidence Based Dentistry, a part of a now worldwide initiative is set to radically transform teaching and practice of dental sciences in the next millennium. It helps to lay a scientific foundation for education, to teach students to question the present, challenge it and find solutions on hard scientific evidence.

The College of Dental Sciences, a flagship institution of the progressive Bapuji Educational Association, has launched the FIRST EVIDENCE BASED DENTISTRY CENTER IN INDIA (and second in the world) with the explicit purpose of providing progressive, scientific all-round education in keeping with a global transformation initiative. The structuring and functioning of the center is being done with a continuous interactive link with the Center for Evidence Based Dentistry, Oxford University, UK.