IADR Abstract Archives
Diagnosis and Treatment of Dental Caries by Brazilian Practicing Dentists
Objectives: Little is known about dental practice patterns of Brazilian dentists regarding caries management. In this Brazilian study, which used a questionnaire (after translation and cultural adaptation) from the Dental Practice-Based Research Network (DPBRN), we aimed to describe the practices related to dental caries by dentists (n=217) from Araraquara, São Paulo State, Brazil.
Methods: Data on sociodemographic information, practitioner characteristics and practices related to the diagnosis, prevention and caries risk assessment were collected and analyzed using descriptive statistics.
Results: The mean age (SD) of paticipants was 42.2 (12) years and their mean number of years since graduation (SD) was 19.6 (11.7) years. Most were female (60%), graduates from a public dental school (77%) and had some type of specialization (62%). Almost half of the participants (48%) worked exclusively in private practice. Regarding patients characteristics, 50% were self-paying patients and 64% were aged 19-64 years. Respondents reported using in most of their patients radiographs to diagnose proximal caries (59%), explorer for the diagnosis of occlusal caries (64%) and on the margins of existing restorations (79%), as well as air jet with drying (92%). In-office fluoride was mainly used for children (71%) and adults (52%). Sealants application was used in children (45%) and adults (14%). Regardless of patient age, current oral hygiene was the most important factor when elaborating a patient treatment plan, followed by the patient's involvement, and the presence of active caries. Only 35% of dentists reported performing caries risk assessment.
Conclusions: In conclusion, most Brazilian dentists from Araraquara used the visual and tactile methods for diagnosing dental caries, in-office fluoride for prevention of caries, and no assessment of caries risk prior to treatment plan (Support: UNESP and FUNDUNESP #0170/004/13-PROPe/CDC; FAPESP# 2012/10397-2; grants: NIH-NIDCR, U01-DE-16746, U01-DE-16747, U19-DE-22516).
Methods: Data on sociodemographic information, practitioner characteristics and practices related to the diagnosis, prevention and caries risk assessment were collected and analyzed using descriptive statistics.
Results: The mean age (SD) of paticipants was 42.2 (12) years and their mean number of years since graduation (SD) was 19.6 (11.7) years. Most were female (60%), graduates from a public dental school (77%) and had some type of specialization (62%). Almost half of the participants (48%) worked exclusively in private practice. Regarding patients characteristics, 50% were self-paying patients and 64% were aged 19-64 years. Respondents reported using in most of their patients radiographs to diagnose proximal caries (59%), explorer for the diagnosis of occlusal caries (64%) and on the margins of existing restorations (79%), as well as air jet with drying (92%). In-office fluoride was mainly used for children (71%) and adults (52%). Sealants application was used in children (45%) and adults (14%). Regardless of patient age, current oral hygiene was the most important factor when elaborating a patient treatment plan, followed by the patient's involvement, and the presence of active caries. Only 35% of dentists reported performing caries risk assessment.
Conclusions: In conclusion, most Brazilian dentists from Araraquara used the visual and tactile methods for diagnosing dental caries, in-office fluoride for prevention of caries, and no assessment of caries risk prior to treatment plan (Support: UNESP and FUNDUNESP #0170/004/13-PROPe/CDC; FAPESP# 2012/10397-2; grants: NIH-NIDCR, U01-DE-16746, U01-DE-16747, U19-DE-22516).