Implementation strategies for integration of evidence-based caries management approach in dental education: a scoping review.

Authors

Bahareh Amirhosseini, Pascaline Kengne Talla, Martin Morris, Krithika Priyadharshini Arunagiri, Svetlana Tikhonova

Published in

Caries research. Nov 06, 2026. Epub Nov 06, 2026.

Abstract

The adoption of Evidence-Based Caries Management (EBCM) approach, introduced over two decades ago, has been slow and inconsistent in dental education and practice. There is a need for enhancing the implementation of EBCM in dental educational settings. This scoping review aims to map and summarizing evidence on EBCM implementation strategies and implementation outcomes in undergraduate dental schools.
A comprehensive search strategy was conducted using MEDLINE, Scopus, Embase, and ERIC databases along with gray literature, and hand searches. Studies looking at implementation strategies for the EBCM approach in dental education were included. Data were screened, selected, and extracted by two independent reviewers. Qualitative content analysis was performed. Findings were reported following PRISMA-ScR guidelines.
One webinar and 25 studies, published between 2007 and 2023 across dental faculties in America, Europe, and Asia were included in the scoping review. Seven studies focused on developing comprehensive cariology curricula tailored to specific contexts, corresponding to the exploration/preparation phase. In the implementation phase, caries detection was the most frequently reported component of EBCM (n=7), followed by caries risk assessment (n=3), caries risk assessment and management (n=4) or multiple components of EBCM (n=4). According to ERIC classification, 22 out of 73 implementation strategies grouped in seven clusters were identified. The most frequent ERIC strategies were "make training dynamic" and "promote adaptability", and the most frequent ERIC strategies' cluster was "train and educate stakeholders". Among the most frequent implementation outcomes identified were "acceptability", "appropriateness", "fidelity" and "adoption". Less frequent outcomes were "sustainability" and "implementation cost". Only three evidence sources reported about the implementation of the whole EBCM approach withing all graduate years of the undergraduate dental education.
Overall, the findings underscore the need for more comprehensive and coordinated approaches to effectively integrate EBCM into dental curricula. The EBCM approach in undergraduate dental education remains in its early implementation stages and characterised by inconsistent adoption, as many institutions focus on isolated components rather than the entire framework within all Cariology curriculum. More studies focusing on the implementation of the whole EBCM approach in dental education using implementation science methodology are needed.

PMID:
42993157
Bibliographic data and abstract were imported from PubMed on 06 Nov 2026.

Read full publication at:
Please sign in to see all details.

Stats

1-terrible, 9-excellent. How would you rate this publication? Sign in in to submit your rating.

Post a comment

You need to be signed in to post comments. You can sign in here.

Comments

There are no comments yet.