PURPOSE: To investigate the pattern of decision-making by southern Brazilian dentists regarding the use of restorations in the treatment of dental caries. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A cross-sectional survey involving 840 dentists, randomly selected in three southern Brazilian states, was performed. Telephone interviews were conducted by three previously trained dentists, in which clinical situations with different-depth radiolucencies, based upon bitewing radiographs, were described. Two other situations, including dark fissures and white spots, were also described. The main outcome measures were the tendency in clinical decision-making in comparison with the number of years elapsed since qualification and attendance on postgraduate courses. RESULTS: The overall response rate was 89.4%: 31.5% of dentists would restore cavities in the outer half of the enamel; 54.5% when the cavity reached the inner half of the enamel, but not the enamel-dentine junction (EDJ); 79.0% when cavities reached the EDJ; and 96.9% when cavities reached the outer half of the dentine. Furthermore, 21.8% of dentists would restore dark fissures without signs of demineralization. Dentists qualified for less than 10 years and those who had attended postgraduate courses were less interventionist. CONCLUSION: It was concluded that dentists have an interventionist attitude in the making of treatment decisions for dental caries and may be over-treating in several situations.
PURPOSE: To investigate the pattern of decision-making by southern Brazilian dentists regarding the use of restorations in the treatment of dental caries. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A cross-sectional survey involving 840 dentists, randomly selected in three southern Brazilian states, was performed. Telephone interviews were conducted by three previously trained dentists, in which clinical situations with different-depth radiolucencies, based upon bitewing radiographs, were described. Two other situations, including dark fissures and white spots, were also described. The main outcome measures were the tendency in clinical decision-making in comparison with the number of years elapsed since qualification and attendance on postgraduate courses. RESULTS: The overall response rate was 89.4%: 31.5% of dentists would restore cavities in the outer half of the enamel; 54.5% when the cavity reached the inner half of the enamel, but not the enamel-dentine junction (EDJ); 79.0% when cavities reached the EDJ; and 96.9% when cavities reached the outer half of the dentine. Furthermore, 21.8% of dentists would restore dark fissures without signs of demineralization. Dentists qualified for less than 10 years and those who had attended postgraduate courses were less interventionist. CONCLUSION: It was concluded that dentists have an interventionist attitude in the making of treatment decisions for dental caries and may be over-treating in several situations.
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Authors: Margrit-Ann Geibel; S Carstens; U Braisch; A Rahman; M Herz; A Jablonski-Momeni Journal: Clin Oral Investig Date: 2017-02-23 Impact factor: 3.573
Authors: Valeria V Gordan; James D Bader; Cynthia W Garvan; Joshua S Richman; Vibeke Qvist; Jeffrey L Fellows; D Brad Rindal; Gregg H Gilbert Journal: J Am Dent Assoc Date: 2010-02 Impact factor: 3.634
Authors: Mark Laske; Niek J M Opdam; Ewald M Bronkhorst; Jozé C C Braspenning; Wil J M van der Sanden; Marie Charlotte D N J M Huysmans; Josef J Bruers Journal: Caries Res Date: 2018-08-14 Impact factor: 4.056