The Big PictureTranslation
Section snippets
Background
“Translation” is the term used to describe the process of moving bench-top research into clinical practice, which can take a considerable length of time. Lately it has taken even longer and involves considerable cost and a highly involved course with many barriers. The steps required include moving from bench-top research to human clinical trials, then from these trials to a synthesis in systematic reviews, and finally into clinical practice (Fig 1). The challenges faced in translation were
Bench-Top to Human Clinical Research
The transfer of laboratory findings into the development of new diagnostic, treatment, or preventive methods through human testing is termed T1. Aspects in this process that help to bridge the gap between research and clinical trials are educating all involved about the process; standardizing translation between institutions; fostering the development and functions of interdisciplinary research teams, academic-industry partnerships, and research-clinician relationships; improving
Systematic Reviews
Once past the T1 gap, a systematic review (SR) is developed by asking a specific question or questions; by identifying and screening potentially eligible studies, then evaluating them for quality and totality of evidence; and by identifying any gaps in knowledge that might prompt further research. Evidence-based dentistry (EBD) considers the highest level of evidence as SRs of randomized controlled trials involving human clinical research.
The process of performing an SR begins with posing a
Clinical Implementation
Improved health outcomes can only be achieved if the research results that have been analyzed are disseminated and implemented in practice. However, publishing SRs or clinical recommendations does not mean that clinicians will begin to incorporate the practices into daily interactions (Fig 6). Clinicians may not even be aware of the existence of the published information; if they are aware, they may not be ready to accept and implement the findings.
The ADA disseminates CRs through several media
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Tracy SL: From bench-top to chair-side: How scientific evidence is incorporated into clinical practice. Dent Mater 30:1-15, 2014
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