Guides: Evidence-Based Dentistry: Appraisal

GRADE Criteria

The MUSC Center for Evidence-Based Practice uses the GRADE criteria to appraise research articles for inclusion in hospital order sets and guidelines. The GRADE criteria are utilized to evaluate the body of evidence used to make clinical recommendations. The "cheat sheet" below defines how the quality of the evidence is rated and how a strong versus weak recommendation is established.

Article Appraisal Resources

Centre for Evidence-Based Medicine (Oxford University)
Critical appraisal worksheets, calculators, CATmaker, examples and explanations
Critical Appraisal Skills Programme (CASP)
Critical appraisal skills training, workshops and tools. These tools can assist you read and check health research for trustworthiness, results & relevance.
CONSORT Statement
The CONSORT Statement is intended to improve the reporting of a randomized controlled trial (RCT), enabling readers to understand a trial's design, conduct, analysis and interpretation, and to assess the validity of its results.
Dental Critically Appraised Topics (UTHSCSA)
The University of Texas Health Sciences Center at San Antonio Dental School's online Critically Appraised Topics (CATs) library. There are CATS on all dental and dental related topics.
NEJM Journal Watch
The most important research, medical news, drug information, public health alerts, and guidelines across 12 specialties are summarized and put into perspective through succinct and easy-to-read summaries and expert comments.

Appraisal Worksheets

Therapy - Critical Appraisal Worksheet (PDF)
Therapy - FRISBE version -Critical Appraisal Worksheet (PDF)
- How to Use an Article About Therapy JAMA. 1993 Dec 1;270(21):2598-2601.
- Estimating the size of the treatment effect
- Therapy CAT Template (Word document)
Diagnosis - Critical Appraisal Worksheet (PDF)
- How to Use an Article About a Diagnostic Test.
  JAMA 1994;271(5):389-391 and JAMA 1994;271(9):703-707.
- Likelihood Ratios
- Fagan's Nomogram (pre-test probability - LR - post-test probability)
- Diagnostic Test CAT Template (Word document)
Prognosis - Critical Appraisal Worksheet (PDF)
- How to Use an Article About Prognosis.
  JAMA. 1994 Jul 20;272(3):234-237.
- Prognosis CAT Template (Word document)
Harm - Critical Appraisal Worksheet (PDF)
- How to Use an Article About Harm.
  JAMA. 1994 May 25;271(20):1615-1619.
- Estimate of Risk
- Harm CAT Template (Word document)
Systematic Review - Critical Appraisal Worksheet (PDF)
- How to Use an Overview.
  JAMA. 1994 Nov 2;272(17):1367-1371.
- Systematic Review CAT Template (Word document)
- Table for Comparing Several Types of Systematic Reviews
Practice Guideline - Critical Appraisal Worksheets (PDF)
- How to Use a Clinical Practice Guideline
  Based on the Users Guides to Evidence-based Medicine
  JAMA 1995;274(7):570-4 and JAMA 1995;274(20):1630-2.
- Clinical Guideline CAT Template (Word document)
Differential Diagnosis - Critical Appraisal Worksheet (PDF)
- How to Use an Article About Disease Probability for Differential Diagnosis
  JAMA. 1999 Apr 7;281(13):1214-1219.
Economic Analysis - Critical Appraisal Worksheet (PDF)
- How to Use an Article on Economic Analysis of Clinical Practice
  JAMA 1997 May 21; 277(19):1552-1557 and JAMA 1997 Jun 11; 277(22):1802-1806.
  (Published erratum in 1997 Oct 1; 278(13):1064).
- Economic Analysis CAT Template (Word document)
Qualitative Study -- Critical Appraisal Worksheet (PDF)
- Qualitative Research in Health Care A. Are the Results of the Study Valid?
  JAMA. 2000 Jul 19;284(3):357-362.
- Qualitative Research in Health Care B.What Are the Results and How Do They Help Me Care for My Patients?
  JAMA. 2000 Jul 26;284(4):478-482.
Quality Improvement
- How to Use an Article About Quality Improvement JAMA 2010;304 2279-2287