Survey of Croatian dentists' restorative treatment decisions on approximal caries lesions

Abstract

Aim To assess Croatian dentists' restorative treatment decisions on approximal caries lesions, including treatment threshold and restorative methods and materials. Methods Croatian translation of the questionnaire assessing restorative treatment decisions on approximal caries, previously validated and used in Norway and Sweden, was distributed to a random sample (n = 800) of Croatian dentists. A total of 307 (38%) dentists answered the questionnaire. The assessed variables were treatment threshold for hypothetical approximal caries lesion and the most favored types of restorative techniques and materials. Results A third of the respondents (39%, 95% confdence interval [CI], 34-44%) would intervene for an approximal caries lesion at the dentin-enamel junction, but a larger proportion (42%; 95% CI, 36-48%) would treat a caries lesion confned to the enamel. For restoration of approximal caries, the majority (66%; 95% CI, 61-71%) would use composite resin. Conclusion Croatian dentists tend to restore approximal caries lesions when the lesions are confned to the enamel and their development can still be arrested.