Diagnosing and recording root caries : A survey among Swiss dentists

Copyright © 2024 The Authors. Published by Elsevier Ltd.. All rights reserved..

OBJECTIVES: Despite the increase in the root caries prevalence, little is still known about how dentists manage this condition. The present study aimed to evaluate the knowledge of dentists on diagnosing and recording root caries lesions (RCL).

METHODS: The survey consisted of three domains: (1) dentists' knowledge on diagnosing, recording and managing RCL; (2) information about their current general clinical routines; and (3) their demographics. The four Swiss Universities distributed the survey via e-mail lists for alumni or professionals participating in continuing education. The data was quality checked. Construct validity, internal reliability and intraclass correlation (ICC) were assessed.

RESULTS: The survey was answered by 383 dentists from 25(out of 26) cantons [mean(SD) working experience: 22.5(12) years]. The majority replied that they see less than 5 patients with RCL per week, whereas 41 have at least 5 per week, and 40 % (157 dentists) do not distinguish RCL from coronal caries in their patients' medical records. When diagnosing active RCL, tactile sensation was the most predominant criterion (n = 380), whereas color (n = 224) and visual appearance (n = 129) of the lesion were less often selected. The most often chosen risk factors for RCL were poor oral hygiene and presence of biofilm.The responses were significantly influenced by the participants' place of education, their age and working area.

CONCLUSION: The present survey highlights the huge diversity in diagnosing, recording and assessing risk factors of RCL. The benefits of an appropriate diagnosis, recording and management of risk factors of RCL should be highlighted in under- and postgraduate dental education.

CLINICAL SIGNIFICANCE: A great diversity in diagnosing, recording and assessing risk factors of RCL was observed, which migh strongly impact how dentists manage RCL. The study emphasizes the necessity for intensive efforts to bridge the gap between guideline recommendations and their implementation in private dental practices.

Medienart:

E-Artikel

Erscheinungsjahr:

2024

Erschienen:

2024

Enthalten in:

Zur Gesamtaufnahme - volume:142

Enthalten in:

Journal of dentistry - 142(2024) vom: 02. März, Seite 104870

Sprache:

Englisch

Beteiligte Personen:

Wierichs, Richard Johannes [VerfasserIn]
Kaspari, Isabelle [VerfasserIn]
Maniewicz, Sabrina [VerfasserIn]
Campus, Guglielmo [VerfasserIn]
Tennert, Christian [VerfasserIn]
Carvalho, Thiago Saads [VerfasserIn]
Niemeyer, Samira Helena [VerfasserIn]

Links:

Volltext

Themen:

Diagnosis
Education
Journal Article
Management
Non-invasive treatment
Questionnaire
Root caries

Anmerkungen:

Date Completed 08.03.2024

Date Revised 08.03.2024

published: Print-Electronic

Citation Status MEDLINE

doi:

10.1016/j.jdent.2024.104870

funding:

Förderinstitution / Projekttitel:

PPN (Katalog-ID):

NLM36800516X