Color perception among different dental personnel

This study investigated the differences in color perception among distinct groups of dental personnel. Four groups of dental personnel (10 dental technicians, 15 final-year dental students, 15 general practitioners and 10 prosthodontists) were asked to match seven test tabs of shades A1, A4, B2, B3, C2, C4 and D3 (Z100 shade guide, 3M Dental Products, St Paul, MN 55144, USA) against a standard Vita shade guide under similar lighting conditions. The results obtained were computed into L*a*b* values using a small-area colorimeter (Dental Colorimeter, Minolta Camera Pte Ltd). The data were analyzed using one-way ANOVA/post-hoc Scheffe's test at significant level p<0.05. The results showed significant differences in deltaE (color difference) between the dental technicians and the clinicians for shade C4. The significant difference that was observed in deltaE for dark shades between dental personnel was mainly contributed to a disparity in L* values. A significant difference in deltaL* was observed between dental technicians and prosthodontists for shade C4.