Abstract
Primary Dental Care, where the majority of dentistry is provided, is an area that frequently lacks robust evidence to support clinical practice. Surveys of primary dental care practitioners (general dentists) were used to identify the clinical challenges they face and to focus research on the "gaps" in evidence to support best clinical practice. Using this information multiple, suitably powered, clinical trials were conducted, in partnership with primary dental care practitioners. The results of these trials were then used to develop clinical guidelines for practitioners so that a more evidenced based approach to providing dental care could be incorporated into clinical practice.