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. 2019 Dec 17;14(1):106.
doi: 10.1186/s13012-019-0954-7.

The effectiveness of guideline implementation strategies in the dental setting: a systematic review

Amy R Villarosa  1   2   3   4 , Della Maneze  5   6   7   8 , Lucie M Ramjan  5   6   8   9 , Ravi Srinivas  5   6   7   8   10 , Michelle Camilleri  7 , Ajesh George  5   6   7   8   9   10
Affiliations

The effectiveness of guideline implementation strategies in the dental setting: a systematic review

Amy R Villarosa et al. Implement Sci. .

Abstract

Background: Guideline implementation has been an ongoing challenge in the dental practice setting. Despite this, there are no reviews summarising the existing evidence regarding effective guideline implementation strategies in this setting. In order to address this, this systematic review examines the effectiveness of guideline implementation strategies in the dental practice setting.

Methods: A systematic search was undertaken according to the PRISMA statement across nine electronic databases, targeting randomised controlled trials and quasi-experimental studies which evaluated the effectiveness of guideline implementation strategies in improving guideline adherence in the dental setting. All records were independently examined for relevance and appraised for study quality by two authors, with consensus achieved by a third author. Data were extracted from included studies using a standardised data extraction pro forma.

Results: A total of 15 records were eligible for inclusion in this review, which focused on the effects of audit and feedback, reminders, education, patient-mediated interventions, pay for performance and multifaceted interventions. Although there were some conflicting evidence, studies within each category of implementation strategy indicated a positive effect on guideline adherence.

Conclusions: This study has identified education, reminders and multifaceted interventions as effective implementation strategies for the dental practice setting. Although this is similar to research findings from other health sectors, there is some evidence to suggest patient-mediated interventions may be less effective and pay for performance may be more effective in the dental setting. These findings can inform policy makers, professional associations, colleges and organisations in the future adoption of clinical guidelines in the dental practice setting.

Trial registration: This systematic review was registered with the International Prospective Register of Systematic Reviews (PROSPERO), registration ID CRD42018093023.

Keywords: Clinical guidelines; Dentistry; Implementation.

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Conflict of interest statement

The authors declare that they have no competing interests.

Figures

Fig. 1
Fig. 1
PRISMA flow chart for the systematic review
Fig. 2
Fig. 2
A diagrammatic representation of the effect of each study intervention on improvement in adherence, grouped by intervention category and guideline type
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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