Cochrane reviews are considered to provide scientific evidence at its highest level by processing all available data regarding a research question through rigorous tests and standardized exacting specifications. Often the methodology, to those not involved or to those viewing the information from outside, appears complex or technical. Cochrane itself has made provisions including plain language summaries, Cochrane Clinical Answers, participation of consumers in Review Groups or forums, to make the information access easier and more meaningful to stakeholders including lay-people, patients, care-givers and clinicians.
This paper provides an analysis of the various channels that are, and could be, employed to convey and disseminate the importance of high-quality evidence and to interpret and translate the findings of Cochrane research into understandable, clinically relevant and practically applicable information of utility to patients and doctors in the field of dentistry. Additionally this paper will also discuss how the importance of evidence, awareness of levels and quality of evidence and significance of Cochrane Reviews and methods can be made more pervasive and wide-spread among the healthcare professionals through continued professional development programs. We explore exposure to these during the formative years of their professional lives, as students, through various teaching-learning activities, thus creating a newer generation of health professionals who are more research and evidence-savvy.