Which of the following statements accurately describes evidence-based dentistry?

• A. It integrates clinical expertise, scientific evidence, and patient needs and preferences.
• B. It relies solely on expert opinion.
• C. It ignores patient preferences.
• D. It uses only randomized trials.

Answer: (A)

Evidence-based dentistry blends three key elements: the clinician’s experience and judgment, the best available scientific evidence, and the patient’s needs and preferences. This approach means decisions aren’t made from guesswork or a single source of information. A practitioner looks at high-quality research (like systematic reviews and clinical studies), interprets how it applies to the individual patient, and then integrates it with their own clinical skills. Importantly, patient values, goals, and circumstances guide which option is best, so care is tailored rather than standardized.

This is why relying only on expert opinion or only on randomized trials isn’t sufficient, and why ignoring patient preferences doesn’t fit evidence-based dentistry.