Implementing evidence-based decision making in the private practice setting: the 4-step process.

An important goal of EBDM is to improve outcomes where it matters the most: at the point of care. All dental clinicians need practical tools that facilitate access to the clinical information needed to enable our patients to make better-informed choices. This article provides a 4-step guide for practical implementation of EBDM in the private practice setting. Step 1 is defining your practice purpose. Step 2 describes the use of Ethical Practice Parameters to guide clinical decision-making. Step 3 illustrates how to implement Ethical Practice Parameters. Step 4 describes a simple process for searching for scientific evidence. Online resources are provided and the benefits of the 4-step process are elucidated.