Assessing knowledge and awareness of dental practitioners in detecting, evaluating, and managing pre-eruptive...

This study aimed to evaluate the proficiency of dental practitioners at King Abdulaziz University Dental Hospital (KAUDH) in detecting and diagnosing pre-eruptive intracoronal resorption (PEIR). It also sought to examine their knowledge of PEIR etiology, severity, and management, while investigating how factors such as educational level and clinical experience influence their detection capabilities and overall understanding of the condition.

This cross-sectional study was conducted at KAUDH and involved 125 participants. The participants were categorized into four subgroups based on their educational level: interns, general dentists, postgraduate pediatric dentistry residents, and postgraduate residents from other specialties. Each participant was asked to examine eight orthopantomograms, which included one normal radiograph, one case of tooth impaction, one case of odontodysplasia, and five cases of PEIR with varying severities. Participants were also required to answer four general questions about PEIR using a validated questionnaire.

The results showed that the participants were generally proficient in the radiographic diagnosis and interpretation of common and obvious anomalies. However, they had difficulty recognizing and identifying PEIR lesions. As the severity of PEIR increased, participants were better able to identify the affected teeth; however, awareness of the correct management decreased. Pediatric dentistry residents and participants with ≥5 years of clinical experience demonstrated better diagnostic ability, both generally and specifically in relation to PEIR, than other dental practitioners. The participants had limited knowledge of PEIR. Only 24.8% of the participants had heard of PEIR, and only 6.4% had encountered a PEIR lesion in their clinics. Furthermore, only 8.8% of the participants knew that PEIR lesions are caused by resorption.

The study identified important gaps in awareness and conceptual understanding of PEIR among dental practitioners, particularly regarding its etiology and management. Recognition of subtle PEIR lesions was limited, although participants demonstrated improved detection as lesion severity increased. Diagnostic accuracy and radiographic interpretation were positively associated with higher educational levels and greater clinical experience. These findings highlight the need for enhanced undergraduate and continuing dental education to improve the early detection and appropriate management of PEIR lesions.