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Mungia R, Funkhouser E, Lobbezoo F, Verhoeff MC, Gilbert GH. Practice-based research in dentistry: Exploring methodologies, benefits, and challenges. J Oral Rehabil 2024. [PMID: 39152542 DOI: 10.1111/joor.13843] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/30/2023] [Revised: 06/25/2024] [Accepted: 08/07/2024] [Indexed: 08/19/2024]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Practice-Based Research Network (PBRN) studies typically assess the effectiveness of clinical interventions in settings that match real-world conditions. Dental PBRNs have the capacity to amass, identify, and analyze vast amounts of data from patient populations that include diverse racial, ethnic, socio-economic, and geographic backgrounds. These dental studies encompass a broad spectrum of healthcare aspects, including prevention, diagnosis, symptom and disease treatment, quality enhancement, and care coordination. METHODS An extensive range of research methodologies can be employed within dental PBRNs to investigate these topics, including randomized controlled trials. Dental PBRNs have evolved from primarily focusing on case observations to leveraging advanced network infrastructure and collaborating across multiple regional and national sites. In addition to producing numerous high-impact peer-reviewed publications, study results have led to improved clinical care. However, PBRNs encounter challenges, such as the sustainability of research capacity (relying heavily on ongoing support from funding agencies), diverse research cultures, and an imperative to design studies that are both feasible and relevant to everyday clinical practice. Recognizing the pivotal role of real-world evidence, it is important to have sustained investment in dental PBRN infrastructure and feasible opportunities for practitioners to participate in network activities nationwide. CONCLUSION Practice-Based Research Network studies capitalize on an important research context within which to investigate a range of clinical topics that can employ multiple research methodologies. However, sustaining productive networks requires strategic effort, ongoing financial support, and customized organizational skills.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rahma Mungia
- Department of Periodontics, School of Dentistry, The University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio, San Antonio, Texas, USA
| | - Ellen Funkhouser
- Division of Preventive Medicine, School of Medicine, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, Alabama, USA
| | - Frank Lobbezoo
- Department of Orofacial Pain and Dysfunction, Academic Centre for Dentistry Amsterdam (ACTA), University of Amsterdam and Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Merel Charlotte Verhoeff
- Department of Orofacial Pain and Dysfunction, Academic Centre for Dentistry Amsterdam (ACTA), University of Amsterdam and Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Gregg H Gilbert
- Department of Clinical and Community Sciences, School of Dentistry, National Network Director, National Dental PBRN, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, Alabama, USA
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Mungia R, Funkhouser E, Cochran DL, Cunha-Cruz J, Gordan VV, Rindal DB, Meyerowitz C, Allareddy V, Fellows JL, Gilbert GH. Recruitment strategies and retention rates for five National Dental PBRN studies. J Clin Transl Sci 2024; 8:e56. [PMID: 38617061 PMCID: PMC11010183 DOI: 10.1017/cts.2024.499] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/13/2023] [Revised: 02/23/2024] [Accepted: 03/11/2024] [Indexed: 04/16/2024] Open
Abstract
Background We describe a retrospective assessment of practitioner and patient recruitment strategies, patient retention strategies, and rates for five clinical studies conducted in the National Dental Practice-Based Research Network between 2012 and 2019, and practitioner and patient characteristics associated with retention. Methods Similar recruitment strategies were adopted in the studies. The characteristics of the practitioners and patients are described. The proportion of patients who either attended a follow-up (FU) assessment or completed an online assessment was calculated. For studies with multiple FU visits or questionnaire assessments, rates for completing each FU were calculated, as were the rates for completing any and for completing all FU assessments. The associations of practitioner and patient characteristics with all clinic FU visits, and with the completion of all assessments for a study were ascertained. Results Overall, 591 practitioners and 12,159 patients were included. FU rates by patients for any assessment varied from 91% to 96.5%, and rates for participating in all assessments ranged from 68% to 87%. The mean total number of patients each practitioner recruited was 21 (sd = 15); the mean number per study was 13 (sd = 7). For practitioners, practice type and patient enrollment were associated with greater clinic retention, while only race was associated with their patients completing post-visit online assessments. For patients, age was associated with clinic retention, while female gender, age, race, and education were all associated with greater completion of post-visit online assessments. Conclusion The Network efficiently recruited practitioners and patients and achieved high patient retention rates for the five studies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rahma Mungia
- Department of Periodontics, School of Dentistry, The
University of Texas Health San Antonio, San Antonio,
TX, USA
| | - Ellen Funkhouser
- Division of Preventive Medicine, School of Medicine,
University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham,
AL, USA
| | - David L. Cochran
- Department of Periodontics, School of Dentistry, The
University of Texas Health San Antonio, San Antonio,
TX, USA
| | - Joana Cunha-Cruz
- Department of Clinical and Community Sciences, School of Dentistry,
University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham,
AL, USA
| | - Valeria V. Gordan
- Director of Practice-based Research and Associate Dean for Research,
University of Florida, College of Dentistry,
Gainesville, FL, USA
| | - Donald B. Rindal
- Associate Dental Director for Research, HealthPartners Dental Group,
HealthPartners Institute, Minneapolis,
MN, USA
| | - Cyril Meyerowitz
- Eastman Institute for Oral Health, University of Rochester School of Medicine
and Dentistry, Rochester, NY,
USA
| | - Veerasathpurush Allareddy
- Brodie Craniofacial Endowed Chair, and Head of Department of Orthodontics,
University of Illinois Chicago College of Dentistry,
Chicago, IL, USA
| | | | - Gregg H. Gilbert
- Department of Clinical & Community Sciences, Distinguished Professor
and the James R. Rosen Chair of Dental Research Chair, School of Dentistry,
University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham,
AL, USA
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Cunha-Cruz J, Gilbert GH, Allareddy V, Cochran DL, Fellows J, Kopycka-Kedzierawski DT, McBurnie M, Meyerowitz C, Mungia R, Rindal DB, Gordan VV. Characteristics of dentists in the National Dental Practice-Based Research Network. J Dent 2023; 137:104653. [PMID: 37572986 PMCID: PMC10528504 DOI: 10.1016/j.jdent.2023.104653] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/18/2023] [Accepted: 08/08/2023] [Indexed: 08/14/2023] Open
Abstract
OBJECTIVES Our aims are to describe the characteristics of dentists, members of the US National Dental practice-based research network (PBRN) in the United States, and determine how often these dentists provide specific dental procedures. METHODS Dentists completed a questionnaire when they enrolled in the Network about their demographic and training characteristics and characteristics of their practices and patients. Dentists also reported the frequency of providing specific dental procedures. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics. RESULTS Of 4,483 dentists in active clinical practice, 34% identified as females, 70% as white, and 73% as general dentists. Most dentists practiced in large metropolitan areas (87%) and in solo or small practices (72%). On average, they reported about one-half of their patients were children or older adults, a third were from historically underrepresented racial and ethnic groups, and one-quarter were covered by public insurance. Most dentists routinely performed restorations and fixed prosthetics (78%), extractions (59%), removable (44%) and implant (40%) prosthetics, and endodontics on incisor and premolar teeth (44%). CONCLUSIONS Dentists participating in the National Dental PBRN have much in common with dentists at large. The network has a broad representation of dentists, practice types, patient populations, and treatments offered, including diversity regarding race/ethnicity, gender, insurance, and geography of its practitioners and patients. CLINICAL SIGNIFICANCE Characteristics of National Dental PBRN dentists suggest that a broad range of dentists is interested in participating in national-level research studies, thereby enabling an array of clinical study settings and topics that can optimize the generalizability of study findings.
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Affiliation(s)
- Joana Cunha-Cruz
- Department of Clinical and Community Sciences, School of Dentistry, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Medical Towers Suite 402, 1717 11th Avenue South, Birmingham, AL 35205, United States.
| | - Gregg H Gilbert
- Department of Clinical and Community Sciences, School of Dentistry, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Medical Towers Suite 402, 1717 11th Avenue South, Birmingham, AL 35205, United States
| | - Veerasathpurush Allareddy
- University of Illinois Chicago College of Dentistry, 801 S. Paulina Street, Chicago, Illinois 60612, United States
| | - David L Cochran
- Department of Periodontics, University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio, 7703 Floyd Curl Drive, San Antonio, TX 78229, United States
| | - Jeffrey Fellows
- Center for Health Research, Kaiser Permanente, 3800N. Interstate Avenue, Portland, OR 97227-1098, United States
| | - Dorota T Kopycka-Kedzierawski
- Eastman Institute for Oral Health, University of Rochester, 625 Elmwood Ave, PO Box 683, Rochester, NY 14620, United States
| | - MaryAnn McBurnie
- Kaiser Permanente Center for Health Research, 3800N. Interstate Avenue, Portland, OR 97114, United States
| | - Cyril Meyerowitz
- Eastman Institute for Oral Health, University of Rochester. 601 Elmwood Avenue, Box 686, Rochester, NY 14642, United States.
| | - Rahma Mungia
- Department of Periodontics, The University of Texas Health San Antonio, 8403 Floyd Curl Drive; MC 8258; Suite 300.29, San Antonio, TX 78229, United States
| | - D Brad Rindal
- HealthPartners Institute, HealthPartners Dental Group, 8170 33rd Avenue South | P.O. Box 1524, MS 21112R, Minneapolis MN 55440-1524, United States
| | - Valeria V Gordan
- University of Florida College of Dentistry, Restorative Dental Sciences Department, PO Box 100415, Gainesville FL 32610-0415, United States
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Mungia R, Lobbezoo F, Funkhouser E, Glaros A, Manfredini D, Ahlberg J, Taverna M, Galang-Boquiren MT, Rugh J, Truong C, Boone H, Cheney C, Verhoeff MC, Gilbert GH. Dental practitioner approaches to bruxism: Preliminary findings from the national dental practice-based research network. Cranio 2023:1-9. [PMID: 37016587 PMCID: PMC11011247 DOI: 10.1080/08869634.2023.2192173] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 04/06/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE Bruxism is a repetitive masticatory muscle activity. This study investigates dental practitioners' approaches to bruxism assessment and treatment in practices. METHODS A brief 5 question questionnaire ("Quick Poll") on bruxism was conducted. RESULTS A total of 397 practitioners responded. More than half (55%) initiated treatment for bruxism on one to three patients per month. The majority believed that stress (97%) and sleep patterns (82%) affected bruxism in their patients. Interestingly, 96% offered an occlusal guard/appliance and 46% made occlusal adjustments. CONCLUSION This study highlights inconsistencies in practitioner approaches to bruxism assessment and management in clinical settings, suggesting gaps in practitioner knowledge evidenced by the varied responses. ABBREVIATIONS PBRN - Practice-Based Research NetworkMMA - Masticatory muscle activitySB - Sleep bruxismAB - Awake bruxismTMJ - Temporomandibular jointOSA - Obstructive sleep apnea.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rahma Mungia
- Department of Periodontics, School of Dentistry, The University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio, Texas, USA
| | - Frank Lobbezoo
- Department of Orofacial Pain and Dysfunction, Academic Centre for Dentistry Amsterdam (ACTA), University of Amsterdam and Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Ellen Funkhouser
- Department of Medicine, School of Medicine, University of Alabama at Birmingham
| | - Alan Glaros
- School of Dentistry, The University of Missouri-Kansas City, Kansas City, Missouri, USA
| | - Daniele Manfredini
- Department of Medical Biotechnologies, Università degli Studi di Siena, Siena, Italy
| | - Jari Ahlberg
- Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Diseases, University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland
| | - Melanie Taverna
- Department of Periodontics, School of Dentistry, The University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio, Texas, USA
| | | | - John Rugh
- Department of Developmental Dentistry, School of Dentistry, The University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio, Texas, USA
| | - Clarisse Truong
- Department of Periodontics, School of Dentistry, The University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio, Texas, USA
| | - Honesty Boone
- Department of Periodontics, School of Dentistry, The University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio, Texas, USA
| | | | - Merel C. Verhoeff
- Department of Orofacial Pain and Dysfunction, Academic Centre for Dentistry Amsterdam (ACTA), University of Amsterdam and Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Gregg H. Gilbert
- Department of Clinical and Community Sciences, School of Dentistry, University of Alabama at Birmingham
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Structure, function, and productivity from the National Dental Practice-Based Research Network. J Clin Transl Sci 2022; 6:e87. [PMID: 35989860 PMCID: PMC9379935 DOI: 10.1017/cts.2022.421] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/30/2022] [Revised: 06/14/2022] [Accepted: 06/16/2022] [Indexed: 11/06/2022] Open
Abstract
Abstract
Introduction:
Following inception in 2005 as a multiregional practice-based research network (PBRN), the “National Dental PBRN” expanded nationwide in 2012, and in 2019 implemented additional organizational changes. The objectives are to: (1) describe the new structure and function of the network; and (2) quantify its scientific productivity since 2005.
Methods:
A national Administrative and Resource Center is based in Alabama; regional and specialty nodes are based in Alabama, Florida, Illinois, Minnesota, Oregon, New York, and Texas. A Network Coordinating Center is based in Oregon. Studies are funded via investigator-initiated grants. Scientific productivity is assessed using specific metrics, including the Relative Citation Ratio.
Results:
To date, 58 studies have been completed or are in data collection or development. These studies have investigated a broad range of topics using a wide variety of study designs. Of the studies that have completed enrollment, 70,665 patients were enrolled, as were 19,827 practitioners (some participated in multiple studies), plus electronic records for 790,493 patients in two data-only studies. To date, these studies have led to 193 peer-reviewed scientific publications in 62 different journals. The mean (1.40) Relative Citation Ratio of Network publications connotes a greater-than-average influence in their fields.
Conclusions:
These metrics demonstrate that the PBRN research context can successfully engage practitioners and patients from diverse settings nationally with a high and sustained level of scientific productivity. This infrastructure has enabled clinical scientists in oral health and nonoral health topics and provided additional recruitment venues outside of the typical academic health center research context.
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