A practical approach to evidence-based dentistry: VII: How to use patient management recommendations from clinical practice guidelines

Abstract

Background and overview: Clinical practice guidelines represent highly processed evidence with associated recommendations to inform clinical practice and optimize patient care. Appropriately developed, evidence-based recommendations will integrate the best evidence regarding benefits and harms, the certainty of the evidence, patients' values and preferences, and resource utilization.

Practical implications: The authors provide a structure for clinicians to critically appraise clinical practice guidelines to determine whether the guidelines offer trustworthy recommendations.

Keywords: Clinical practice guidelines; GRADE approach; evidence-based dentistry; patients’ values and preferences; quality of evidence; recommendation; strength of recommendations.