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The Future of Web-based Clinical Research in Dentistry

Department of Statistics, College of Medicine, University of Florida, Box 100212 HSC, Gainesville, FL 32610-0212; ronmarks{at}ufl.edu

Clinical research is a growing industry in dentistry, requiring more efficient methods for research conduct. The Internet provides an opportunity for investigators to expand, enhance, and potentially redefine the way they conduct clinical research. A prime area for improved research is in clinical trials processes, due to their current high cost and inefficiencies. The Web offers the advantages of both centralization of information and coordination of multiple clinical trials processes. The result is improvements for the investigator sites, the sponsor, and subject safety. Observational studies also provide the opportunity for investigators to collect greater amounts of information in a more realistic dental environment. The Internet offers investigators the opportunity to collect outcomes information from sources worldwide, and more efficiently, accurately, and quickly, providing new valuable research answers. The tremendous explosion of genetic and gene therapy research will substantially increase the need for research methods that can manage the vast amount of complex new data, depending on the Internet to manage these research needs. The Internet holds promise for improving dental clinical research through its gains in efficiency, accuracy, and safety.

KEY WORDS: Internet • clinical research • evidence-based medicine

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