Evidence-based practice doesn't rely on data alone to drive decisions; patient values and preferences play a central role in how care is delivered. Yet, many oral health professionals receive limited guidance on how to integrate those preferences into practice, especially when they may conflict with clinical recommendations or other constraints.
Join CareQuest Institute for a webinar that will explore the foundations of shared decision-making in dentistry and the critical importance of centering patient values. Expert speakers will examine real-world examples — from fluoride to vaccines to oral cancer screening — and offer practical frameworks that help learners navigate complex decisions with patients. They'll also highlight common challenges, including time constraints, provider bias, and communicating with well-informed or hesitant patients, offering actionable strategies for more inclusive, person-centered care.
Learning Objectives
- Describe how patient values and preferences influence clinical decision-making in evidence-based practice.
- Differentiate between evidence, clinical expertise, and patient preferences when making treatment recommendations.
- Apply a shared decision-making framework to real-world scenarios, identifying potential barriers (e.g., time constraints, provider bias) and strategies to engage patients in their care decisions.
Moderator & Presenter
JoAnn Gurenlian, RDH, MS, PhD, AAFAAOM, FADHA, American Dental Hygienists Association
Presenter
Alonso Carrasco-Labra, DDS, MSc, PhD, Cochrane Oral Health Collaborating Center at Penn Dental Medicine, Division of Restorative Dentistry
CareQuest Institute for Oral Health is an ADA CERP Recognized Provider.
ADA CERP is a service of the American Dental Association to assist dental professionals in identifying quality providers of continuing dental education. ADA CERP does not approve or endorse individual courses or instructors, nor does it imply acceptance of credit hours by boards of dentistry. CareQuest Institute for Oral Health designates this activity for 1 continuing education credit.
This continuing education activity has been planned and implemented in accordance with the standards of the ADA Continuing Education Recognition Program (ADA CERP) by CareQuest Institute for Oral Health.
All participating instructors in this program have disclosed that they do not have any financial arrangement or affiliation with persons or entity(ies) offering financial support, products, and/or services mentioned or related to the content of this program/activity.