ASSESSMENT OF KNOWLEDGE, ATTITUDES, AND PERCEIVED CHALLENGES TOWARD EVIDENCE-BASED DENTISTRY IN INDIAN DENTAL POSTGRADUATES

Objective- To assess the knowledge, attitude and perceived barriers towards practice of evidence based dentistry among Indian postgraduate dental students. Method- This is a cross-sectional questionnaire study. 234 post-graduate dental students participated in the present study (response rate – 86.7%). Knowledge, attitude and perceived barriers towards practice of evidence based dentistry was assessed using a validated, self-administered questionnaire. Frequency tables were computed. Independent samples t- test was used to test for the difference in mean knowledge scores between clinical and non-clinical department (p < 0.05) is considered statistically significant. Results- 65 (27.8%) subjects were not familiar with evidence based dentistry, Mean knowledge reagarding terminologies used in evidence based dentistry was high among clinical than non-clinical students. A positive attitude was seen among the post graduates in practice of evidence based dentistry, there exist certain barriers in practice of evidence based dentistry. Conclusion- The postgraduates although familiar with the sources of evidence based dentistry, their knowledge of the terms used in evidence based dentistry is limited a positive attitude is seen among respondents towards imparting evidence based dentistry in clinical practice and Potential barriers still exist in practice of evidence based dentistry.