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Cited by 17Health Policy Implementation ScienceHealth Sciences Research and EducationDental Health and Care Utilization

Dissemination and implementation research for oral and craniofacial health: Background, a review of literature and future directions

Open access
Randall, Cameron L.·2023·Community Dentistry and Oral Epidemiology
DOI 10.1111/cdoe.12841PMC PMC10364974
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Abstract

Oral conditions are highly prevalent globally and have profound consequence on individuals and communities. Clinical (e.g. dental treatments, behavioural counselling) and non-clinical (e.g. community-based programming, water fluoridation, oral health policy) evidence-based interventions have been identified, recommended and applied at the clinic, community and policy levels. Still, the burden of oral conditions persists, with inequitable distribution across populations. A major driver of this lack of progress is poor translation of research findings, which results in an evidence-to-practice gap. Dissemination and implementation science (DIS) has emerged to address this gap. A relatively new field, application of DIS represents an important avenue for achieving good dental, oral and craniofacial health for all. The goal of this introductory article is to provide a brief background on DIS relevant to researchers in dentistry and oral health. The problem of knowledge translation, basic concepts and terminology in DIS, and approaches to doing dissemination and implementation research-including implementation strategies, key outcomes, and implementation theories, models and frameworks-are discussed. Additionally, the article reviews literature applying DIS to dentistry and oral health. Results of published studies and their implications for the field are presented. Drawing on the literature review and contemporary thinking in DIS, current gaps, opportunities and future directions are discussed. Resources for understanding and applying DIS are provided throughout. This article serves as a primer on DIS for dental and oral health researchers of all types working across a range of contexts; it also serves as a call to action for increased application of DIS to address the burden of oral conditions globally.

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  • Evidence on implementation strategies, frameworks and contextual factors in oral health remains fragmented, with no comprehensive synthesis to date.

    “However, evidence on implementation strategies, frameworks and contextual factors in oral health remains fragmented, with no comprehensive synthesis to date.”

    From Mapping evidence on implementation research in oral health: a global scoping review protocol (2026) · cites this paper as [23]

    In “The literature” (page unavailable), the paper describes only a few implementation studies, supporting the characterization of a limited evidence base. It does not establish that no comprehensive synthesis of strategies, frameworks and contextual factors exists; it instead identifies a systematic review of dental implementation strategies and a study that comprehensively addressed strategies relevant to oral health. (LLM, conf=0.85)

    Experimental — accuracy not yet measured

  • This gap limits cross-context learning, theory-informed implementation and the equitable translation of proven oral health interventions into routine practice, particularly in LMICs.

    “This gap limits cross-context learning, theory-informed implementation and the equitable translation of proven oral health interventions into routine practice, particularly in LMICs.22 23”

    From Mapping evidence on implementation research in oral health: a global scoping review protocol (2026) · cites this paper as [23]

    The literature-review section says evidence-based oral health interventions are inadequately implemented and do not reach the communities they are meant to help; the Introduction connects the evidence-to-practice gap with oral health equity. The paper also discusses theory and local context in implementation research, but the passages do not establish that this gap limits cross-context learning or that its effects are particularly pronounced in LMICs. (LLM, conf=0.83)

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  • There is no consolidated evidence on the range of implementation strategies employed, the implementation outcomes assessed, the theoretical frameworks guiding research or the contextual barriers and facilitators influencing adoption, fidelity, reach, scale-up and sustainability across settings and regions.

    “Consequently, there is no consolidated evidence on the range of implementation strategies employed, the implementation outcomes assessed, the theoretical frameworks guiding research or the contextual barriers and facilitators influencing adoption, fidelity, reach, scale-up and sustainability across settings and regions.23”

    From Mapping evidence on implementation research in oral health: a global scoping review protocol (2026) · cites this paper as [23]

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  • Implementation science has gradually entered oral health, contributing to guideline uptake, behavioral interventions, and deimplementation of low-value care.

    “Implementation science has gradually entered the field of oral health, with important contributions to the adoption of clinical guidelines and recent debates on the deimplementation of low-value care.”

    From New Frontiers for Implementation Science in Oral Health: Digital and Equity-Driven Pathways (2026) · cites this paper as Randall 2023

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Research works printed but not linked: 12

  1. [21]National Institute of Dental and Craniofacial Research. Oral Health in America: advances and Challenges: executive Summary. US Department of Health and Human Services, National Institutes of Health; 2021. 35020292
  2. [32]American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry. Policy on Use of Fluoride. The Reference Manual of Pediatric Dentistry. American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry; 2022: 66– 67.
  3. [51]Dearing JW, Kee KF, Peng T-Q. Historical roots of dissemination and implementation science. In: Brownson RC, Colditz GA, Proctor EK, eds. Dissemination and Implementation Research in Health: Translating Science to Practice. Oxford University Press; 2018: 47– 61.
  4. [58]Rabin BA, Brownson RC. Terminology for dissemination and implementation research. In: Brownson RC, Colditz GA, Proctor EK, eds. Dissemination and Implementation Research in Health: Translating Science to Practice. Oxford University Press; 2018: 18– 45.
  5. [63]Steensma JT, Kreuter MW, Casey CM, Bernhardt JM. Enhancing dissemination through marketing and distribution systems. In: Brownson RC, Colditz GA, Proctor EK, eds. Dissemination and Implementation Research in Health: Translating Science to Practice. Oxford University Press; 2018: 191– 200.
  6. [69]Owen N, Goode A, Sugiyama T, Designing for dissemination in chronic disease prevention and management. In: Brownson RC, Colditz GA, Proctor EK, eds. Dissemination and Implementation Research in Health: Translating Science to Practice. Oxford University Press; 2018: 107– 120.
  7. [74]Allen JD, Shelton RC, Emmons KM, Linnan LA. Fidelity and its relationship to implementation effectiveness, adaptation, and dissemination. In: Brownson RC, Colditz GA, Proctor EK, eds. Dissemination and Implementation Research in Health: Translating Science to Practice. Oxford University Press; 2018: 267– 284.
  8. [75]Baumann AA, Cabassa LJ, Stirman SW. Adaptation in dissemination and implementation science. In: Brownson RC, Colditz GA, Proctor EK, eds. Dissemination and Implementation Research in Health: Translating Science to Practice. Oxford University Press; 2018: 285– 300.
  9. [80]Lewis CC, Proctor EK, Brownson RC. Measurement issues in dissemination and implementation research. In: Brownson RC, Colditz GA, Proctor EK, eds. Dissemination and Implementation Research in Health: Translating Science to Practice. Oxford University Press; 2018: 229– 244.
  10. [91]Kirchner JE, Waltz TJ, Powell BJ, Smith JL, Proctor EK. Implementation strategies. In: Brownson RC, Colditz GA, Proctor EK, eds. Dissemination and Implementation Research in Health: Translating Science to Practice. Oxford University Press; 2018: 245– 266.
  11. [98]Skolarus TA, Tabak RG, Sales AE. Theories, frameworks, and models in implementation science in cancer. In: Chambers DA, Vinson CA, Norton WE, eds. Advancing the Science of Implementation across the Cancer Continuum. Oxford University Press; 2018: 41– 56.
  12. [106]Tabak RG, Chambers DA, Hook M, Brownson RC. The conceptual basis for dissemination and implementation research: lessons from existing models and frameworks. In: Brownson RC, Colditz GA, Proctor EK, eds. Dissemination and Implementation Research in Health: Translating Science to Practice. Oxford University Press; 2018: 74– 88.

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Authors
Randall, C. L.
Affiliations
University of Washington (US)
Corresponding author
Randall, Cameron L.
ORCID
Randall, Cameron L.
Venue
Community Dentistry and Oral Epidemiology
Publisher
Wiley
Published
2023-02
Volume
51
Issue
1
Pages
119-132
ISSN
  • 0301-5661 (ISSN-L)
  • 1600-0528
DOI
10.1111/cdoe.12841
PMC
PMC10364974
OpenAlex
W4319294496
Cited by
17
References
126
Citations by year
2026: 7 · 2025: 5 · 2024: 2 · 2023: 3
FWCI
0.86
Type
journal article
Language
en
Open access
Licence
onlinelibrary.wiley.com/termsAndConditions#vor (vor, 5 d)
Locations
  • Community Dentistry And Oral Epidemiology (publishedVersion)
  • PubMed (publishedVersion)
  • PubMed Central (acceptedVersion)
Funders
National Institute of Dental and Craniofacial Research (K23DE028906)
Topics
  • Health Sciences › Health Professions › General Health Professions › Health Policy Implementation Science
  • Health Sciences › Health Professions › General Health Professions › Health Sciences Research and Education
  • Health Sciences › Dentistry › Periodontics › Dental Health and Care Utilization
Keywords
dissemination and implementation research, oral health, knowledge-practice gap, knowledge translation, implementation strategies, implementation outcomes, dental treatment, water fluoridation, oral health policy, health disparities
MeSH terms
Implementation Science, Fluoridation, Health Policy, Humans, Oral Health

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