CDA Essentials 2019 • Volume 6 • Issue 3

18 | 2019 | Issue 3 CDA at W ork CDA Position on the Adoption of New or Existing Technologies by Dentists The Canadian Dental Association supports an evidence informed approach to patient care. New products and technologies, including a range of materials, diagnostic tools, medical devices, and treatments and therapies, are entering the oral health marketplace at an increasing rate. Making a well-informed decision about whether to adopt a new product or technology can be a challenge if research evidence on the clinical benefits of using a particular technology is limited. The dental profession, including national and provincial/territorial associations, dental educational institutions and individual member practitioners, fosters a culture of evidence-based dentistry and promotes decision-making based on the best available evidence. Decision-making related to health-related technologies is achieved by encouraging clinically relevant research and dissemination of findings in peer-reviewed journals; increasing opportunities for dentists to interact with their peers about the technology; and delivering up-to-date education courses where bias, including financial interests in the technology, is clearly identified. When examining the potential benefit of a technology for their patients, dentists should prioritize patient need above all other considerations and: 1. Assess the evidence - Review publications for relevant health technology assessments, systematic reviews and other published studies with consideration for bias (e.g. funding bias) and the strength of evidence. 2. Speak with their colleagues who have incorporated the technology in their practice about their experience and perspectives. 3. Consider the benefits and risks achieved by adopting the technology that provides better patient care and improved disease control. 4. Prior to considering proceeding with incorporating the technology complete reputable and specific training programs, particularly with a hands-on component, and 5. Choose training program providers where all conflicts of interest (COI) are clearly disclosed and available for review prior to enrolling in the program. CDA Board of Directors Approved: February 2019 the device is safe and effective, but it is not evidence of its therapeutic value, in terms of benefits and risks. ❘� Another recommendation is for dentists to seek the perspectives of colleagues who have incorporated the technology in their practice. How can dentists find such colleagues? There are many ways to connect with other dentists on this. One way is to go to seminars, study clubs and provincial dental association meetings. Or get in touch with suppliers and say you’d like a list of dentists who are already using the technology you’re interested in. At CDA, we sometimes get inquiries about specific technologies; we usually connect them with our provincial dental association counterparts or can sometimes connect them to someone they can speak with at one of the university dental faculties who we know has a particular interest in the technology. ❘� The statement also recommends that dentists “consider the benefits and risks achieved by adopting the technology that provides better patient care and improved disease control.” What factors should be weighed in evaluating the benefits and risks? One of the benefits to really focus on is whether the technology will make a particular technique easier for the patient. Even if the technology doesn’t change the clinical result, consider if it will improve the patient’s experience. One of the risks to consider is whether the cost of investing in this technology is being passed on to patients without a clear benefit to them. There are some very expensive products out there that don’t necessarily achieve any better outcomes than conventional treatments, and it isn’t clear that they’ll stand the test of time. It should always be about what’s in the best interest of your patients. a