A primer on outcomes in dentistry

Expectations for evidence of "value" on the part of dental care purchasers and growth in the evidence-based dentistry movement are beginning to demons trate the narrow and incomplete nature of dentistry's knowledge of the outc omes of dental conditions and treatment. in this paper a classification sch eme for dental outcomes is described that illustrates the broad range of ou tcomes information important to patients, health care providers, purchasers , and society. The uses for outcomes information are discussed and suggesti ons are offered for improving dentistry's knowledge of outcomes through the cooperative involvement of dental research, dental education, and dental p ractice.