Time-related quantitative analysis of articles about randomized controlled trials in medicine and dentistry cited in PubMed

Background: The highest evidence level of therapy-related primary studies is allocated to randomized controlled trials (RCTs). In dentistry, a quantitative analysis of RCT articles published in the various dental specialties has been missing to date. Methods: In PubMed, the 10 dental specialties with the greatest number of RCT articles published until December 2016 were identified. For each specialty, the percentage of the RCT articles relative to all articles was calculated. Then, separated for dentistry in general and for the topic "temporomandibular disorders (TMDs)," the distribution of the annual frequencies of published RCT articles was determined, and the further development for 2017 to 2030 was predicted. Results: Altogether, 8540 RCT articles were identified. Preventive dentistry and periodontology rank in the top two places numerically and proportionally, while the field of TMDs is ranked eighth. The trend reveals a visible increase in the annual number of published RCT articles over time. This increase will continue in the future. Conclusion: Dentists should know about the RCT articles with high methodological quality, and consider them for clinical decision making. Keywords: dental disciplines, randomized controlled trial, prediction, PubMed, ing, search strategy