ADA Joins ‘Choosing Wisely’ to Urge Patient Conversation

The American Dental Association is the first dental organization to join Choosing Wisely, a campaign to get clinicians and patients talking. An initiative of the ABIM Foundation and Consumer Reports, Choosing Wisely encourages dentists and patients to discuss how to avoid unnecessary tests and treatments, and to make informed choices about care.

Choosing Wisely publishes lists of evidence-based recommendations from more than 70 national specialty societies, including the ADA. Consumer Reports disseminates patientfriendly materials through consumer and employer groups. To get the conversation started, Choosing Wisely has released a list of tips for clinicians paired with related tips for patients. For example:

• Clinicians: Avoid restorative treatment as a first line of treatment in incipient (non-cavitated) occlusal caries without first considering sealant use.
• Patients: Consider sealants to prevent decay or treat surface cavities.

The ADA, which announced its participation in July, provides details at ADA.org/ChoosingWisely.

From Decisions in Dentistry. September 2016;2(09):12.