EBDM Worksheet D: Critical Appraisal of the Evidence
EBDM Worksheet D: Critical Appraisal of the Evidence
Write your PICO question here:
In adult patients with halitosis, will using a tongue scraper as compared to using an antimicrobial mouth rinse be more effective in freshening the breath?
Choose the ONE article of the highest level of evidence that is the most appropriate for your PICO question. Critically appraise the article by answering the following questions.
| Article citation
Aung EE, Ueno M, Zaitsu T, Furukawa S, Kawaguchi Y. (2015). Effectiveness of three oral hygiene regimens on oral malodor reduction: a randomized clinical trial. Trials. 2015, 16(1):1-8.
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| (2 points) What is the purpose of this study? Write the purpose statement or hypothesis of the study (HINT: look at the last paragraph of the Introduction):
The purpose was to assess the effects of different oral hygiene procedures on reduction of volatile sulfur compounds in subjects with oral malodor.
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| Appraise the internal validity: Are the results of the study valid?
1. (0.5 point) What was measured in the study, and how was it measured?
Total volatile Sulphur compound was measured. It was measured using a Breathtron.
2. (0.5 point) Were patients randomized to control and treatment groups in the study? How?
No, the research had a randomized, single blind, 5-week parallel design.
3. (0.5 point) Was the study retrospective or prospective? If two groups were compared, were the groups similar?
Two groups were compared and they were similar. Both groups performed tooth brushing, mouth rinsing with chloride dioxide, tongue cleaning and a combination of those.
4. (0.5 point) Was the study described clearly enough that you could repeat it?
Yes.
5. (0.5 point) Name one potential source of bias in the study.
Ascertainment bias |
| (2 points) Give TWO main results of the study.
1) There were no significant differences in oral health status between the two groups at the baseline
2) The greatest reduction in VSCs was found at the fifth week after the practice of all three oral hygiene regimens.
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| Appraise the external validity: Will this study help me in caring for my patient?
1. (0.5 point) Is your patient the same or different from the patients in the study? How?
My patient is the same as the one in the study. My patient is suffering from halitosis while patients in the study have oral malodor.
2. (0.5 point) Is the treatment/intervention in the study feasible in your dental office?
The treatment is feasible in my dental office. It is convenient to perform the procedures in my dental office.
3. (0.5 point) Will the potential benefits of the treatment outweigh the potential harm(s) to your patient?
The potential benefits of the treatment will not outweigh the potential harm to my patient. The treatment will be effective to my patient.
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| (2 points) Does this study directly answer your PICO question?
The study does not provide a direct answer to my PICO question.
If the answer is NO, how is the study useful to your patient? In other words, why did you choose this article?
I chose the article because it provides relevant information on the treatment of oral malodor. The article illustrates an effective way to reduce oral malodor by using both tooth brushing, mouth rinsing with chloride dioxide and tongue cleaning
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