KNOWLEDGE, ATTITUDE AND SKILLS OF ENDODONTIST AND PEDODONTIST ON USE OF RECENT ADVANCEMENTS IN CARIES DIAGNOSIS: A QUESTIONNAIRE BASED SURVEY

Abstract

Background: Dental caries is a dynamic disease process where early lesions before being expressed clinically undergo many demineralization and remineralization cycles. The recognition of initiation and early detection of dental caries is a primary concern while managing caries. Aim: This study aimed to evaluate the knowledge, attitude, skills and preparedness of endodontist and pedodontist on use of recent advancements in caries diagnosis.

Materials and Methodology: A cross-sectional survey was carried out in May 2020 on 50 endodontist and pedodontist who had done post graduation from Delhi NCR. A 10 question based questionnaire was developed to assess their knowledge, awareness and skills. Data were subjected to appropriate statistical measures and analyzed.

Subjects and Methods: The data were collected through an online survey questionnaire based on awareness, knowledge, skills and attitude of endodontist and pedodontist. Result: All the endodontist and pedodontist (100%) believed early detection and recognition was the preliminary concern while managing dental caries. 16% of the specialists were only aware of both uses of FOTI that is for diagnosing carious lesions and identification of the necrotic canals. 72% of specialists managed carious lesions by Minimally invasion dentistry rather than old philosophy of extension for prevention. Conclusion: This survey reported 28% of dental specialist used ICDAS tool for diagnosing caries and thus managing caries rather than age old use of explorer or sharps which decrease chances of remineralization in incipient lesions. So this survey helps in awaring the dental specialists and educating them about recent advancements and latest devices used for diagnosing dental caries and practicing preservation of natural tooth by minimal intervention dentistry.

Keywords: Dental caries, FOTI, ICDAS