Abstract
BackgroundReliable caries detection is a cornerstone in the modern caries treatment schema. This study aimed to evaluate adopting traditional and new caries detection methods by third-year dental students.MethodsFifty-seven students were given lectures on caries detection, after which they evaluated 27 extracted carious teeth using traditional clinical assessment (CE), Nyvad’s, and ICDAS methods. On three teeth they also performed DIAGNOdent pen® (LF) scanning. Histological scores of the sectioned teeth (ICDAS, LF) and activity estimations of the lesions by the supervisors were used as golden standards (Nyvad, CE). For the ICDAS method , sensitivity and specificity were calculated using dentine caries (D3) as a cut-off point. Mean ICC and kappa values were calculated to evaluate interexaminer agreement for all lesions and methods. Spearman’s correlation coefficient evaluated LF scanning.ResultsICDAS method presented good sensitivity (0.78) and specificity (0.87). The inter-examiner agreement for different methods was fair or good (CE ICC = 0.69, κ = 0.53; Nyvad’s method ICC = 0.68, κ = 0.48, ICDAS ICC = 0.66, κ = 0.47). Variation in LF values was the greatest with lesions extending to middle third of dentin. In that case, the Spearman’s correlation coefficient was also the weakest.ConclusionsTo follow the guidelines by the European Core Curriculum on Cariology, the third year dental students are introduced to methods for detecting lesion depth and assessing lesion activity as well as using new caries detection methods. Their performance in estimating lesion depth is good, and fair to good in estimating lesion activity even after basic training only.
Highlights
IntroductionThis study aimed to evaluate adopting traditional and new caries detection methods by third-year dental students
Reliable caries detection is a cornerstone in the modern caries treatment schema
This was emphasized in the recent European Core Curriculum on Cariology, which was published with an aim to provide a framework
Summary
This study aimed to evaluate adopting traditional and new caries detection methods by third-year dental students. The base in the new schema of non-invasive and invasive caries treatments lies on treating dental caries or controlling the course of the disease by choosing the right method of treatment at the right time. The new schema is based on detecting the early signs of the disease. Assessment and synthesis remains as a core topic in the dental curriculum. This was emphasized in the recent European Core Curriculum on Cariology, which was published with an aim to provide a framework. With an ideal caries diagnostic method, all caries lesions from the earliest signs to the cavitation stage could be reliably detected and the activity of the lesions assessed. None of the traditional methods completely fulfills these requirements
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
