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The influence of a short training program on the clinical examination of dental restorations
Robert McAndrew1, Barbara Chadwick, Elizabeth T Treasure
1University of Cardiff, Applied Clinical Research and Public Health, School of Dentistry, Heath Park, Cardiff CF14 4XY, United Kingdom.
Purpose:
To investigate how a simple restoration evaluation training program affected restoration replacement decision making by a group of 16 dentists.
Method:
The clinical examination of 66 dental restorations in nine female patients was carried out by two groups of dentists: one having previously received training in restoration assessment. The results of these assessments were compared to a gold standard for restoration integrity determined by two experienced clinicians applying US Public Health Service criteria. All evaluations were completed under controlled clinical conditions with standard equipment and lighting. The results of the clinical examinations between the trained (test) group and the untrained (control) group were compared to each other and the gold standard.
Results:
The trained group scheduled fewer restorations for replacement (6.00±3.01 and 9.71±3.15; p=0.034), in a shorter time (27.86±3.45 mins and 36.71±3.74 mins; p=0.003) and showed greater agreement with the study's gold standard for restoration replacement (0.85±0.27 and 0.79±0.06; p=0.002).
Conclusion:
Within the limits of this study, examiner training can significantly improve the reliability of restoration replacement decision making by dentists.