Restorative treatment threshold reported by Iranian dentists

Area of Science:

• Dentistry
• Dental Public Health
• Cariology

Background:

• Dental caries management is evolving, with a shift towards preventive strategies.
• Understanding dentists' perceptions of early intervention is crucial for effective caries treatment protocols.
• Previous research indicates variations in treatment thresholds for dental caries.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate Iranian dentists' opinions on the optimal stage for restorative intervention in proximal caries.
• To identify factors influencing dentists' decisions regarding early restorative treatment for caries.

Main Methods:

• A questionnaire survey was administered to 1,033 dentists at Iranian dental meetings.
• Participants evaluated two hypothetical proximal caries cases (high and low caries risk) presented with radiographic illustrations.
• Dentists selected the earliest stage for restorative intervention, with background data collected on demographics and continuing education.

Main Results:

• A significant majority (77%) of dentists opted for restorative treatment on enamel-level caries in the high-caries case.
• For the low-caries case, 32% of dentists chose to restore lesions in the enamel stage.
• Participation in continuing education (OR=1.4) and being female (OR=1.5) were associated with later intervention (dentine stage).

Conclusions:

• Iranian dentists tend to favor early restorative intervention for proximal caries.
• The findings suggest a need to emphasize preventive aspects of caries management in dental education and continuing professional development.
• Further research could explore the impact of these perceptions on actual clinical practice and patient outcomes.