Interrater Agreement in Approximal Caries Diagnosis and Staging With NIDIT

Objectives: To determine interrater agreement in approximal caries diagnosis and staging with the use of the DiagnoCam device (KaVo, Germany) that utilizes Near Infrared Digital Imaging Transillumination technology.
Methods: 30 images of teeth with and without approximal caries were obtained from 30 patients with the use of DiagnoCam (KaVo, Germany). Each image was assessed by 4 independent raters, 2 of whom are conservative dentistry and endodontics consultants, and 2 of whom are general dental practitioners. Each rater assessed the image using the scale provided by the manufacturer (0 – no caries, 5 – deep caries). The results were analyzed statistically by calculating Kendall’s W coefficient (PQStat Software).
Results: Kendall’s coefficient of concordance for all raters was 0.84 (p<0.000001). The value for consultants was W=.89, p=.0103, as was the value for GDPs.
Conclusions: Interrater agreement in approximal caries detection and staging is high and, therefore, its result may be useful, easy to interpret and communicate in everyday dental clinical practice.