The term evidence-based has become a popular phrase in the title of many articles. Some articles discuss the process, whereas others lead readers to believe that evidence-based methodology was used in conducting the research or in presenting a synthesis of the findings, which may not be the case. The purpose of Part I of this two-part report is to define evidence-based decision-making (EBDM), discuss the evolution of the evidence based movement, and to describe the distinguishing characteristics of evidence-based publications. In doing so, articles using an evidence-based format, article summaries found in evidence-based journals and systematic reviews, such as those published by the Cochrane Collaboration, will be presented. Part II reviews the findings from the Cochrane Review on manual versus powered toothbrushing for oral health and discusses the strengths and weaknesses of systematic reviews.