Utilization of evidence-based informational resources for clinical decisions related to posterior composite restorations.

The purpose of this study was to characterize evidence-based informational resources utilization patterns of a sample of general dentists with respect to clinical decisions regarding posterior composite restorations. A stratified random sample of general practitioners belonging to the Academy of General Dentistry (n = 2880) was mailed a questionnaire that elicited information about practice characteristics and informational resources used for clinical decision making related to posterior composite restorations. Six hundred ninety-nine dentists responded (24 percent response rate). Use of evidence-based (EB) resources (journals and online data bases) was low for all respondents (14 percent) for all levels of experience; however, more experienced clinicians were more likely to use EB resources than recent graduates. AGD Master-level members were significantly more likely to use EB resources than their counterparts (p < .05). Within the limitation of this study, current patterns suggest a low reliance on evidence-based informational resources in the practice of clinical dentistry.