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September 15, 2014

Like the ADA itself, the ADA Division of Science has strong roots in bolstering both organized dentistry and the practicing dentist at chairside.

Members can drill down into the division to find plenty of valuable benefits, an array of programs and other useful resources.

A cornerstone of the Science division is the ADA Laboratories. Dentists, dental material specialists, microbiologists, chemists and engineers comprise the labs staff. The ADA Council on Scientific Affairs and the ADA Research Agenda identify public health issues and develop the ADA Research Agenda that guide the labs' scientific investigations.

The labs report findings in peer-reviewed journals, presentations at scientific meetings and publishes evaluations of professional dental products such as materials and instruments in the ADA Professional Product Review. The Review is a quarterly CSA publication that highlights ADA Laboratory evaluations, clinical collaborations, expert panel discussions, dental therapeutics, product alerts and more. The online publication can be at ADA.org/ppr.

In the laboratories, scientists also administer the ADA Seal program, which is the gold standard when it comes to evaluating the safety and efficacy of over-the-counter consumer dental products.  The labs' chemistry department tests fluoride levels for some of the products in the ADA Seal of Acceptance program.

"The ADA has charged the Division of Science with the responsibility of supporting members in assuring that scientifically determined evidence guides all aspects of patient care," said Dr. Edmond Truelove, chair of the ADA Council on Scientific Affairs.  "The panel of volunteer scientists that make up the council and their consultant experts, supported by the highly skilled staff of the science division, focus on all aspects of science that impact the profession."

Also at home in the Science division, the ADA Center for Evidence-Based Dentistry operates under the advisement of the CSA to develop resources that help dentists integrate clinically relevant scientific evidence at the point of care. The EBD Center puts on the annual EBD Champions Conference and otherwise introduces dental professionals to the tenets of EBD, which integrates the dentist's clinical expertise, the patient's needs and preferences, and the most current, clinically relevant evidence.

"It is essential that the foundation of all modern health care delivery be based on sound scientific evidence," Dr. Truelove said.

The 2014 conference wrapped in late May and attracted more than 170 dental professionals, many of them returning participants, who came to explore the 2014 theme "EBD Champions 2.0 Conference: Implementing Science in Practice," including hearing a lineup of experts address evidence vetting and chairside applications of EBD.

The EBD Center is growing, adding new programs and offerings. In http://darlawilkins.takingitslow.com/2014/06/01/a-soothing-dental-appointment/ in the area of dental informatics. Applications for the award are due Feb. 1, 2015.

For more details on the Standards department, visit ADA.org/dentalstandards.