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Systematic review in scientific controversy: the example of water fluoridation, an open access review
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  • Editorial
  • Published: 16 July 2002

Systematic review in scientific controversy: the example of water fluoridation, an open access review

  • D Richards1,
  • P Mansfield2 &
  • J Kleijnen3 

Evidence-Based Dentistry volume 3, pages 32–34 (2002)Cite this article

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Abstract

The systematic review of the safety and effectiveness of water fluoridation was an open-access systematic review. This has overcome some of the difficulties encountered in a highly contentious area, but it did not work perfectly. Parties on each side of the controversy were reluctant to abandon their previous positions and endorse the review result whole-heartedly. Surprising progress was made, however, which should encourage greater confidence in future reviews of this kind.

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References

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Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Director, Centre for Evidence-based Dentistry, Oxford, UK

    D Richards

  2. Director of Templegarth Trust, Louth, UK

    P Mansfield

  3. NHS Centre for Reviews and Dissemination, University of York, York, UK

    J Kleijnen

Authors
  1. D Richards
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  2. P Mansfield
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  3. J Kleijnen
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Cite this article

Richards, D., Mansfield, P. & Kleijnen, J. Systematic review in scientific controversy: the example of water fluoridation, an open access review. Evid Based Dent 3, 32–34 (2002). https://doi.org/10.1038/sj.ebd.6400121

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  • Published: 16 July 2002

  • Issue date: 01 January 2002

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1038/sj.ebd.6400121

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