The strongest resources to aid oral health professionals in clinical decision-making. Developed by a guideline panel, clinical and health guidelines critically appraise, summarize, and interpret relevant evidence to formulate recommendations that can be applied to patient care. Explore current clinical and health guidelines below.
Clinical Practice Guidelines and Dental Evidence
Our collection of evidence-informed clinical practice guidelines that will help you improve your practice.
Oral Cancer Guideline (2026 Update)
These updated recommendations guide the use of cytology and vital staining adjuncts for early oral cancer detection in an interactive format.
Clinical and Public Health Guidelines
These updated recommendations guide the use of different adjuncts for early oral cancer detection in an interactive format.
Addresses both 2-D and 3-D imaging, featuring clinical scenarios.
Addresses appropriate use of dental X-rays and discontinuation of lead aprons, thyroid collars.
Recommendations for managing acute dental pain in children, adolescents and adults after tooth extraction(s) or for the temporary management of toothache.
Recommendations for the use of 16 restorative caries treatments – which direct restorative materials and caries removal approaches to use.
Clinical recommendations for the use of nine nonrestorative caries treatments, including the ADA's first-ever recommendations for silver diamine fluoride (SDF).
The latest recommendations for antibiotic usage in the urgent management of pulpal- and periapical-related dental pain and intra-oral swelling.
Recommendations from the American Heart Association on the use of antibiotics to prevent infective endocarditis.
Recommendations for the use of antibiotic prophylaxis to prevent orthopaedic implant infection in dental patients.
Guideline recommending a unified message to the general public regarding fluoride toothpaste usage for children under six years of age.
Clinical recommendations for the use of agents such as sucrose-free polyol chewing gums, xylitol dentifrices, and chlorhexidine in preventing caries.
ADA panel recommendations for nonsurgical treatment of chronic periodontitis by means of scaling and root planing with or without adjuncts.
Expert panel recommendations for the use of pit-and-fissure sealants to prevent caries.
ADA panel recommendations for various topical fluoride agents for caries prevention, including mouth rinses, varnishes, gels, foams and pastes.
Education
Want to learn how to incorporate the latest scientific evidence into clinical practice? Check out these brief educational videos that demonstrate the techniques and principles of evidence-based dentistry.
Explore various instructional videos that help illustrate certain evidence-based dentistry techniques and clinical procedures.
Evidence-Based Dentistry
ADA Policy Statement on Evidence-Based Dentistry: The ADA defines the term evidence-based dentistry as an approach to oral health care that requires the judicious integration of systematic assessments of clinically relevant scientific evidence, relating to the patient’s oral and medical condition and history, with the dentist’s clinical expertise and the patient’s treatment needs and preferences.