Survey of Croatian Dentists’ Restorative Treatment Decisions on Approximal Caries Lesions

Abstract

To assess Croatian dentists' restorative treatment decisions on approximal caries lesions, including treatment threshold and restorative methods and materials. 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. A third of the respondents (39%, 95% confidence 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 confined to the enamel. For restoration of approximal caries, the majority (66%; 95% CI, 61-71%) would use composite resin. Croatian dentists tend to restore approximal caries lesions when the lesions are confined to the enamel and their development can still be arrested.