Margrit-Ann Geibel1, S Carstens2, U Braisch3, A Rahman4, M Herz5, A Jablonski-Momeni6. 1. Department of Dentomaxillofacial Surgery, University of Ulm, Albert-Einstein-Allee 11, 89081, Ulm, Germany. margrit-ann.geibel@uniklinik-ulm.de. 2. Department of Dentomaxillofacial Surgery, University of Ulm, Albert-Einstein-Allee 11, 89081, Ulm, Germany. 3. Institute of Epidemiology and Medical Biometry, University of Ulm, Schwabstraße 13, 89075, Ulm, Germany. 4. Department of Conservative Dentistry, Periodontology and Preventive Dentistry, Hannover Medical School, Carl-Neuberg-Straße 1, 30625, Hannover, Germany. 5. Department of Conservative Dentistry and Periodontology, Tuebingen University Hospital, Osianderstraße 2-8, 72076, Tuebingen, Germany. 6. Department of Pediatric and Community Dentistry, Philipps University, Georg-Voigt-Straße 3, 35033, Marburg, Germany.
Abstract
OBJECTIVES: The aim of this study was to examine the influence of experience and gender on the radiographic detection of proximal caries lesions and on therapeutic decisions. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A survey of 220 examiners (students and employees at three universities and dentists in the field) was taken using a standardized written questionnaire concerning radiographic diagnosis and therapy planning. An expert opinion of four dentists was determined as radiographic reference. A mixed effect logistic regression model was used for statistical evaluation and the odds ratio and p values were calculated (α = 0.05). RESULTS: Examiners with experience had an almost four times greater chance of a correct assessment, if proximal caries lesion was present or not, than examiners with low experience (OR 3.7 (95% CI 2.4-5.8)). No gender-specific differences were discovered (OR women vs. men 0.9 (95% CI 0.6-1.4)). There was a relationship between the severity of the burnout effect on the x-ray and false positive caries diagnosis. Overall, 43% of respondents would plan invasive treatment in the enamel on a patient at low risk of caries and 78% on a high-risk patient. The results showed that the more experienced practitioners would be more likely to postpone restorative therapy on proximal caries until the lesion reached a later stage. CONCLUSIONS: The results of this study suggest that examiner's experience influences the radiographic diagnosis of proximal lesions. No gender-specific differences could be found. CLINICAL RELEVANCE: Examiner's professional experience is an important factor when radiography is included for detection and treatment planning of proximal lesions.
OBJECTIVES: The aim of this study was to examine the influence of experience and gender on the radiographic detection of proximal caries lesions and on therapeutic decisions. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A survey of 220 examiners (students and employees at three universities and dentists in the field) was taken using a standardized written questionnaire concerning radiographic diagnosis and therapy planning. An expert opinion of four dentists was determined as radiographic reference. A mixed effect logistic regression model was used for statistical evaluation and the odds ratio and p values were calculated (α = 0.05). RESULTS: Examiners with experience had an almost four times greater chance of a correct assessment, if proximal caries lesion was present or not, than examiners with low experience (OR 3.7 (95% CI 2.4-5.8)). No gender-specific differences were discovered (OR women vs. men 0.9 (95% CI 0.6-1.4)). There was a relationship between the severity of the burnout effect on the x-ray and false positive caries diagnosis. Overall, 43% of respondents would plan invasive treatment in the enamel on a patient at low risk of caries and 78% on a high-risk patient. The results showed that the more experienced practitioners would be more likely to postpone restorative therapy on proximal caries until the lesion reached a later stage. CONCLUSIONS: The results of this study suggest that examiner's experience influences the radiographic diagnosis of proximal lesions. No gender-specific differences could be found. CLINICAL RELEVANCE: Examiner's professional experience is an important factor when radiography is included for detection and treatment planning of proximal lesions.
Authors: Sophie Doméjean-Orliaguet; Stéphanie Tubert-Jeannin; Paul J Riordan; Ivar Espelid; Anne B Tveit Journal: Oral Health Prev Dent Date: 2004 Impact factor: 1.256
Authors: Valeria V Gordan; Cynthia W Garvan; Marc W Heft; Jeffrey L Fellows; Vibeke Qvist; D Brad Rindal; Gregg H Gilbert Journal: Gen Dent Date: 2009 Nov-Dec