Ben Balevi1. 1. Faculty of Medicine, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC, Canada. drben@dentalben.com
Abstract
OBJECTIVE: To perform a comprehensive decision-tree analysis for the management of the suspicious/incipient occlusal lesion on a molar tooth. METHODS: A quantitative decision tree was constructed to assess the expected utility value of three global strategies to dentally manage the incipient or suspicious occlusal carious lesion. RESULT: A preventive strategy offered an optimal expected utility value (0.98 utile) compared with the other two strategies of visual inspection (0.84 utile) or referring to one of four diagnostic tests (0.74-0.82 utile). CONCLUSION: Although the general conclusion of this analysis agrees with current recommendations, this analysis offers a more complete mathematical model that provides a unified value for each strategy (i.e. expected utility value) thus allowing for complex quantitative comparison between strategies. This paper provides a specific example of how decision-tree analysis can be a powerful tool in guiding dental practice.
OBJECTIVE: To perform a comprehensive decision-tree analysis for the management of the suspicious/incipient occlusal lesion on a molar tooth. METHODS: A quantitative decision tree was constructed to assess the expected utility value of three global strategies to dentally manage the incipient or suspicious occlusal carious lesion. RESULT: A preventive strategy offered an optimal expected utility value (0.98 utile) compared with the other two strategies of visual inspection (0.84 utile) or referring to one of four diagnostic tests (0.74-0.82 utile). CONCLUSION: Although the general conclusion of this analysis agrees with current recommendations, this analysis offers a more complete mathematical model that provides a unified value for each strategy (i.e. expected utility value) thus allowing for complex quantitative comparison between strategies. This paper provides a specific example of how decision-tree analysis can be a powerful tool in guiding dental practice.
Authors: S K Makhija; G H Gilbert; E Funkhouser; J D Bader; V V Gordan; D B Rindal; D J Pihlstrom; V Qvist Journal: Caries Res Date: 2014-01-29 Impact factor: 4.056
Authors: Sonia K Makhija; Gregg H Gilbert; Ellen Funkhouser; James D Bader; Valeria V Gordan; D Brad Rindal; Michael Bauer; Daniel J Pihlstrom; Vibeke Qvist Journal: J Am Dent Assoc Date: 2012-12 Impact factor: 3.634