Hai Ming Wong1, Colman McGrath, Nigel M King. 1. Faculty of Dentistry, Department of Paediatric Dentistry and Orthodontics, University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China. gloriawhm@gmail.com
Abstract
OBJECTIVES: To assess dental practitioners' views on the need to treat developmental defects of enamel (DDE). In addition, to identify factors associated with practitioners' treatment decision (tooth factors and dentist-related). METHODS: A random sample of 300 Hong Kong dentists were sent a booklet containing computer-generated images of various forms of DDE and asked to rate the treatment need. In addition, some dentist-related information was collected. RESULTS: The response rate was 79% (237/300). The majority of the dental practitioners considered that aesthetic treatment was indicated for people with DDE subtypes of brown demarcated opacities (51.0%), confluent/patchy plus staining and/or loss of enamel (80.2%), missing enamel (67.1%) and the combination of discolouration and diffuse opacities (83.1%); their decisions were in relation to the type (P < 0.001), size (P = 0.001) and colour (P < 0.001) of the enamel defects. Dental professionals who were older, self-employed, graduated from institutions overseas, or had postgraduate qualifications, tended to consider aesthetic treatment for the teeth that exhibited the milder forms of enamel defects (P < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: Dentists frequently perceive that DDE constitutes a 'great need' for dental treatment. Dentists' perceptions of the need to treat DDE is influenced by type, size and colour of DDE and associated with dentist-related factors, principally the age of the dentist.
OBJECTIVES: To assess dental practitioners' views on the need to treat developmental defects of enamel (DDE). In addition, to identify factors associated with practitioners' treatment decision (tooth factors and dentist-related). METHODS: A random sample of 300 Hong Kong dentists were sent a booklet containing computer-generated images of various forms of DDE and asked to rate the treatment need. In addition, some dentist-related information was collected. RESULTS: The response rate was 79% (237/300). The majority of the dental practitioners considered that aesthetic treatment was indicated for people with DDE subtypes of brown demarcated opacities (51.0%), confluent/patchy plus staining and/or loss of enamel (80.2%), missing enamel (67.1%) and the combination of discolouration and diffuse opacities (83.1%); their decisions were in relation to the type (P < 0.001), size (P = 0.001) and colour (P < 0.001) of the enamel defects. Dental professionals who were older, self-employed, graduated from institutions overseas, or had postgraduate qualifications, tended to consider aesthetic treatment for the teeth that exhibited the milder forms of enamel defects (P < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: Dentists frequently perceive that DDE constitutes a 'great need' for dental treatment. Dentists' perceptions of the need to treat DDE is influenced by type, size and colour of DDE and associated with dentist-related factors, principally the age of the dentist.
Authors: Cristina Gasparik; Horațiu Alexandru Colosi; Bianca Elena Varvara; Alexandru Grațian Grecu; Alexandra Iulia Aghiorghiesei; Anca Ștefania Mesaroș; Amalia Mazilu Moldovan; Diana Dudea Journal: Int J Environ Res Public Health Date: 2022-01-14 Impact factor: 3.390