Clinical practice guidelines in dentistry: opinions of dental practitioners on their contribution to the quality of dental care

Abstract

Only about 50% of dentists support the development and implementation of clinical guidelines. Guidelines are seen as helpful in the provision of continuing dental education and as a support in daily clinical decision making. The most important barrier to successful implementation of clinical practice guidelines is the fear of dental practitioners that guidelines will reduce their professional autonomy. Practice and dentist characteristics are unrelated to dentists' opinions on clinical practice guidelines.