This study was supported by Contract No. 290-97-0011 Task Number 6 from the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality (AHRQ), formerly the Agency for Health Care Policy and Research. We acknowledge the assistance of Jacqueline Besteman, J.D., M.A., the AHRQ Task Order Officer for the Evidence-based Practice Center Program, and Ernestine (Tina) Murray, R.N., M.A.S., the AHRQ Task Order Officer for this task. The cooperation and support of Isabel Garcia, D.D.S., M.P.H., the National Institute of Dental and Craniofacial Research (NIDCR) liaison with AHRQ, have been greatly appreciated.

We recognize the role that the Technical Expert Advisory Group (TEAG) has played in shaping and producing this evidence report. In addition, the RTI/UNC EPC thanks its Scientific Advisors for providing their expertise throughout the project: Amid Ismail, B.D.S., M.P.H.,

Dr. P.H.; Jan Clarkson, B.D.S., Ph.D.; and Alex White, D.D.S., Dr. P.H., M.S.

The investigators appreciate the time and assistance of the data abstractors. The clinical data abstractors included Tegwyn Hughes, D.D.S.; Jessica Lee, D.D.S., M.P.H.; and Sally Maurellio, M.Ed. The automated search expertise of Lynn Whitener, Dr. P.H., M.S.L.S., as well as the administrative assistance of Donna Curasi, also contributed to the data collection phase of the project.

We thank the following individuals from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill: Gordon DeFriese, Ph.D., Co-Director of the RTI-UNC Evidence-based Practice Center; Timothy S. Carey, M.D., M.P.H., Scientific Advisor to the RTI-UNC Evidence-based Practice Center; and John Stamm, D.D.S., M.Sc.D., D.D.P.H. Finally, we also thank our RTI colleagues Nancy Berkman, Ph.D.; Anjolie Idicula, B.A.; Joann Kuo, M.P.H.; and Cristina Garces, B.A., for guidance in preparing this report; Terri Kissiah for her outstanding wordprocessing skills and logistical support; and Richard Strowd, J.D., and Tim Weinzapfel, C.A.C.M., for their contracting assistance.