CELEBRATING 30 YEARS OF COCHRANE ORAL HEALTH: A LEGACY OF EVIDENCE AND IMPACT.

Janet Clarkson, Tanya Walsh, Sharon Lewis, Philip Riley, Lucy O'Malley, Anne-Marie Glenny

Journal: The journal of evidence-based dental practice 2026;26(1):102227

PMID: 41833428

Abstract

In 2024, Cochrane Oral Health (COH) celebrated its 30th anniversary, marking 3 decades of advancing global oral health through rigorous evidence synthesis. Based at The University of Manchester, COH has become a cornerstone of trusted health information, contributing to clinical practice, policy, and patient care. COH's mission centers on producing accessible, high-quality systematic reviews to inform decision-making and promote equitable oral health. Its prioritization strategy, involving diverse stakeholders, ensures relevance and impact. COH exemplifies methodological excellence and innovation, adhering to Cochrane methodological standards and promoting transparency through protocol publication and freely available plain language summaries. Our reviews are widely cited in international guidelines and policy documents, with notable contributions to evidence synthesis and knowledge translation in the areas of fluoride interventions, antimicrobial use, oral cancer management, and infection control during COVID-19. COH has embraced innovation through the conduct of a diverse range of review methodologies including living reviews, diagnostic test accuracy reviews and overviews of systematic reviews, AI-assisted synthesis, and commissioned evidence synthesis. Cochrane Oral Health's legacy is defined by its commitment to methodological rigor, stakeholder engagement, and global impact. As it enters its fourth decade, COH continues to evolve, addressing emerging challenges and advancing oral health through trusted evidence. Its strategic goals of expanding reach, innovating methods, promoting equity, and effective knowledge translation position COH as a leader in evidence-based oral healthcare.

Copyright © 2026 The Authors. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Address: Division of Dentistry, School of Medical Sciences, Faculty of Biology, Medicine and Health,The University of Manchester, Manchester, M13 9PL, United Kingdom; Dundee Dental Hospital and School, Park Place, University of Dundee, Dundee, United Kingdom.; Division of Dentistry, School of Medical Sciences, Faculty of Biology, Medicine and Health,The University of Manchester, Manchester, M13 9PL, United Kingdom. Electronic address: [email protected].; Division of Dentistry, School of Medical Sciences, Faculty of Biology, Medicine and Health,The University of Manchester, Manchester, M13 9PL, United Kingdom.

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