Evidence-based dentistry for the 21st century.

Evidence-based clinical dental practice relies upon the best available research evidence to formulate novel or improved modes of intervention specific to the needs of each patient. Evidence-based dentistry is a complex field. It is essential that its elements are clearly defined and understood for it to serve adequately and appropriately in clinical decision making. This paper discusses salient issues in evidence-based dentistry and examines the modality by which evidence-based dentistry will become the instrument for the integration of certain cutting-edge areas of science in dentistry in the new millennium.