IADR Abstract Archives
Diagnostic Methods for Dental Caries Used by Private Dental Practitioners in Ankara
Objectives: The present study aimed to investigate the preference profiles of various types of diagnostic tools and methods used by private dental practitioners in Ankara for detecting dental caries.
Methods: Private dental practitioners, in five districts of Ankara, were provided with questionnaires comprising four main headings, demographic characteristics, possession of dental imaging systems, and methods used for caries diagnosis, in order to document their preferential methods for caries diagnosis. The questionnaires were retrieved after 1–3 visits. Data were statistically analysed using frequency analysis and Chi-square tests.
Results: The completed questionnaires were obtained from 328 dentists (160 women and 168 men) aged 25–69 years; 28.4% of them were specialists. Most participants possessed a dental radiography (RG) device. Air drying and sharp explorers were the most commonly preferred methods used for caries diagnosis. There was no significant association between using a sharp explorer and sex or being a specialist (P = 0.110, 0.226, respectively). Almost one-third of the dentists with an experience of <11 years, never used a RG device to detect occlusal caries (P = 0.003), whereas one-fifth of the practitioners reported using fiber-optic transillumination or laser devices for caries detection.
Conclusions: In addition to the fundamental equipment used in modern dentistry, dentists should be encouraged to use contemporary methods for the diagnosis and treatment of dental caries.
Methods: Private dental practitioners, in five districts of Ankara, were provided with questionnaires comprising four main headings, demographic characteristics, possession of dental imaging systems, and methods used for caries diagnosis, in order to document their preferential methods for caries diagnosis. The questionnaires were retrieved after 1–3 visits. Data were statistically analysed using frequency analysis and Chi-square tests.
Results: The completed questionnaires were obtained from 328 dentists (160 women and 168 men) aged 25–69 years; 28.4% of them were specialists. Most participants possessed a dental radiography (RG) device. Air drying and sharp explorers were the most commonly preferred methods used for caries diagnosis. There was no significant association between using a sharp explorer and sex or being a specialist (P = 0.110, 0.226, respectively). Almost one-third of the dentists with an experience of <11 years, never used a RG device to detect occlusal caries (P = 0.003), whereas one-fifth of the practitioners reported using fiber-optic transillumination or laser devices for caries detection.
Conclusions: In addition to the fundamental equipment used in modern dentistry, dentists should be encouraged to use contemporary methods for the diagnosis and treatment of dental caries.