AN AUDIT OF THE IMPLEMENTATION OF GUIDELINESFOR CARIES RISK ASSESSMENT AND MANAGEMENT PROTOCOLS

Objectives: The aim of the study was to assess the knowledge of dental practitioners in operative department of Islamic international dental college Islamabad regarding the assessment of caries risk and implementation of guidelines for the treatment.
Methods: DESIGN
A Clinical Audit Study

PLACE
It was conducted in the operative and endodontic department of Islamic international dental college Islamabad.

DURATION OF STUDY
Data was collected over a period of 3 months.

METHODS AND MATERIALS
A cross sectional study was conducted. There were 70 participants of age group 20-30 years. A self administered questionnaire was filled by the participants. A sample of house officers and postgraduate trainees was selected. A total sample of 13 house officers and 13 postgraduate trainees was selected. Three questionnaires per house officer/post graduate trainee were filled. Data was analyzed using PASW statistics 17.0. Data was interpreted in form of pie charts, bar charts and tables.
Results: Twenty five out of 78 patients were diagnosed as high caries risk patient but only 15 of 25 were recalled for caries risk assessment after 3 months. Forty one patients were diagnosed as moderate caries risk out of which only seven were recalled after six months and nine were recalled after every three months. And none of patients diagnosed as low caries risk was recalled for caries risk assessment after six to twelve months. Seventeen out 66 high and moderate caries risk patients were not counseled regarding their dietary habits. Seven out of 25 high caries risk and seven out of 41 moderate caries risk patients were advised pits and fissure sealants. Six out of 25 high caries risk patients and two out of 41 moderate caries risk patients were advised topical fluoride treatments after three and six months respectively.

Conclusions: Many of the dental practitioners didn’t evaluate their patients caries risk assessment properly and hence the management protocol was not according to the caries risk assessment of the patient. The use of American Dental Association guidelines for diagnostic and restorative management protocols should be increased