Exploring Factors Influencing Tooth Restorability Decisions Among Dental Students, Interns, and General Practitioners

Area of Science:

• Dental restorative decision-making
• Clinical assessment of tooth restorability
• Dental education and practice

Background:

• Tooth restoration versus extraction decisions are subjective and lack standardized guidance.
• Clinical factors influence restorability assessments, impacting treatment planning.
• Confidence in assessing tooth restorability varies among dental professionals.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate the clinical decision-making skills of predoctoral students, interns, and general dental practitioners (GPs) in assessing tooth restorability.
• To identify factors influencing dentists' confidence in determining tooth restorability.

Main Methods:

• A cross-sectional study utilized an online questionnaire with hypothetical case scenarios.
• Participants included predoctoral students, interns, and general dental practitioners (GPs).
• Data analysis involved chi-square tests, exploratory factor analysis (EFA), and regression analysis.

Main Results:

• Statistically significant differences in restorability and prognosis decisions were observed across educational levels.
• Exploratory factor analysis identified 'preparedness' and 'challenges/considerations' as key factors.
• Preparedness significantly predicted confidence (B = 0.791, p < 0.001), while challenges did not (B = -0.086, p = 0.165).

Conclusions:

• Improved educational preparation can enhance dental practitioners' confidence in restorative decisions.
• Future research should focus on strategies to improve educational programs, mentorship, and clinical guidelines.
• Enhanced decision-making support is crucial for informed tooth restorability assessments.