Ontario dentists: 2. Bitewing utilization and restorative treatment decisions

Area of Science:

• Dental radiology
• Public health dentistry

Background:

• Recent guidelines for radiological examination selection published in Canada and the US.
• This study is the second in a series examining Ontario general practitioners' practices.

Purpose of the Study:

• To compare the frequency of bitewing radiographic examinations in Ontario with established US guidelines.
• To identify factors influencing dentists' diagnostic and treatment decisions regarding bitewing use.

Main Methods:

• A questionnaire was administered to Ontario general practitioners.
• The questionnaire assessed recall bitewing examination frequency for low and high caries risk patients.
• Dentists' perceptions of caries progression rates were also evaluated.

Main Results:

• While many dentists followed US guidelines for individual low (49-78%) and high (49-88%) caries risk patients, overall adherence was lower: 34% for low risk and 15% for high risk groups.
• Dentists' estimates of enamel caries progression time were indirectly linked to prescribed recall intervals.

Conclusions:

• Adherence to US bitewing guidelines among Ontario general practitioners varies significantly across different patient risk categories.
• Further investigation into factors influencing recall interval decisions is warranted to improve guideline implementation.