Writing Standards

1. Record and interpret systemic and oral health data and psycho/social factors to identify a patient's oral health status.

Demonstrated by:

  • The text includes medical/dental history, social determinants of health, and/or barriers.

2. Establish an evidence-base for clinical care writing or written research papers.

Demonstrated by:

  • The text includes subjective, objective, assessment, and plan details.
  • The text identifies problem/population, intervention, comparison, and outcome (PICO).
  • The text uses description of observations and/or summary of research to guide conclusions and interventions.

3. Adapt relevant and effective strategies to gain information and resources.

Demonstrated by:

  • The text includes the appropriate National Library of Medicine (NLM) format.
  • Process Criterion: Use of professional and technical resources, PubMed/other search tools, and citation manager.

4. Accurately document findings, data, and observations.

Demonstrated by:

  • SOAP notes are thorough, relevant, and reflect actual/significant findings and care provided.
  • In axiUm or other electronic health records, findings, data, and observations are recorded in appropriate tabs and fields.
  • The text includes figures and tables selected and designed to illustrate data and support conclusions.
  • The text incorporates a documentation format appropriate to the audience and purpose.

5. Appraise literature and/or clinical information for purposes of summary and analysis.

Demonstrated by:

  • The text includes research that is the most current and relevant to the problem or question.
  • The text summarizes relevant points, details, and reaches appropriate conclusions.

6. Distinguish between strong and weak sources.

Demonstrated by:

  • The text is supported by using the levels of evidence pyramid and includes the most relevant available resources.
  • Process Criterion: Applies evidence-based research pyramid criteria to evaluate article quality.
  • Process Criterion: Applies appraisal tools to analyze and criticize published research.

7. Apply and create a conventional order of concepts and information.

Demonstrated by:

  • The text is organized in a manner that is consistent with professional standards.
  • The text follows a logical order to draw conclusions and/or to persuade the audience.
  • The text includes transitional sentences, subheadings, and other features to increase comprehension as needed.

8. Connect/synthesize information to draw sound, evidence-based conclusions.

Demonstrated by:

  • The text includes synthesis, summary, and contrast statements.
  • The text synthesizes selected literature to draw sound conclusions.
  • The text identifies gaps in published research.
  • The text demonstrates critical thinking through sufficient depth of the topic.
  • Process Criterion: Involve patient in treatment plan based in Evidence Based Dentistry (patient preferences, evidence, and provider scope of practice).

9. Write efficiently using language reflecting the audience and purpose of communication.

Demonstrated by:

  • The text is concise.
  • The text includes conventional grammar and usage.
  • The text includes professional terminology.
  • The text is in third person. (professional papers)
  • The text is in first person. (reflection papers, clinical notes)
  • The text employs accepted dental terminology, abbreviations, and acronyms.
  • The text avoids jargon and slang.
  • The text lists full term initially, then followed by acronym.
  • The text includes terminology sensitive to audience and purpose.

10. Engage in self-assessment, reflect on outcomes, and apply those reflections to professional development and future practice.

Demonstrated by:

  • The text describes events using specific examples and situational features to support statements and draw conclusions.
  • In clinical self-assessments, accounts for tasks and roles, what one has learned, how one’s thinking has changed over time, and where skills can be improved.