What Researchers Did
Researchers systematically collected and evaluated systematic reviews to identify knowledge gaps in oral and maxillofacial surgery across twelve specific domains.
What They Found
Out of 1,778 identified abstracts, 200 met the inclusion criteria, with 45 systematic reviews assessed as high to moderate quality. The study revealed a large number of knowledge gaps across all twelve domains of oral and maxillofacial surgery, including a significant lack of data on health economics and ethics. Some evidence was found in areas like surgical removal of teeth and implant survival after sinus lifts.
What This Means for Canadian Patients
The identified knowledge gaps suggest that many oral and maxillofacial surgical procedures may not be fully supported by high-quality evidence, potentially impacting treatment decisions and outcomes for Canadian patients. More research is needed to ensure that patients receive the most effective and evidence-based care.
Canadian Relevance
This study has no direct Canadian connection.
Study Limitations
A potential limitation is that the literature search was conducted in September 2014, meaning more recent evidence may not have been included.