Aim. Accurate detection and diagnosis of dental caries is an integral part of achieving adequate comprehensive dental care. Furthermore, the high prevalence of caries and generally poor oral health in Saudi Arabia is a public health concern. In addition to necessary preventive programs and awareness initiatives, understanding diagnostic practices plays an important role in garnering broad background knowledge regarding the routine diagnostic means utilized by our targeted respondents. Therefore, this study aimed to assess the methods of caries detection among dental students and dental practitioners in Riyadh using a cross-sectional observational study design. Methods. The sample comprised 496 dental students, interns, postgraduate residents, general dental practitioners, specialists, and consultants from the Riyadh region of Saudi Arabia. A survey was designed to assess caries detection methods, risk assessment practices, and knowledge of advanced diagnostic methods. The responses were correlated with demographic and educational variables. Regression models were used to predict associations. Results. 42.3% and 32.7% use sharp explorers in diagnosing caries always and most of the time, respectively. When conducting caries risk assessment practices, 64.4% was very likely to review the patient’s medical history and lifestyle. In terms of knowledge of advanced diagnostic methods, 47.8% know “much” to “very much” about FOTI. The knowledge of advanced caries diagnostic methods and practices of advanced diagnostic methods were significantly positively correlated (r = 0.388, P < 0.001 ). Linear regression analysis indicated that higher experience (10+ years) was associated with higher knowledge regarding advanced caries diagnostic methods ( β  = 0.27, P = 0.009 ). The mean rank for risk assessment practices was significantly lower in GPs compared to consultants P < 0.05 . Conclusions. The use of traditional and invasive methods of caries detection is prevalent among our respondents, while the usage of advanced diagnostic methods is for the most part low. Therefore, we advocate for more minimally invasive approaches and as such encourage the practice and availability of advanced diagnostic methods.

Purpose/Objectives Empathetic communication of dentists with their patients is a primary characteristic of their health care. This study aims to evaluate dental students’ empathy levels during the transitional period of internship and postgraduate studies of different specialties at one of the oldest dental schools in Saudi Arabia and explore how this empathy was affected by gender, age, and study duration. Methods In this study, the self‐reported empathy level among the participants was assessed using the Jefferson scale of empathy‐student version (JSE‐HPS). This survey includes a 20‐question Likert scale formulated to measure clinical empathy in health care professionals. The JSE‐HPS was distributed to all registered dental interns and postgraduate students during the academic year 2019–20 in King Abdulaziz University Faculty of Dentistry (KAUFD), Jeddah, Saudi Arabia. Results Mean total score of empathy of the participants was (101.07 ± 14.8) with a response rate of 89%. A statistically significant higher empathy score appeared among dental postgraduate students in general (p = 0.04) and specifically among the females (p = 0.04) and those with postgraduate programs for more than four years, (p = 0.02). Dental postgraduate students scored significantly higher in the parameters of standing in patients’ shoes (p = 0.02). Conclusion Gender, academic level, and duration of postgraduates' studies influenced empathy more than the age of the dental graduates in KAUFD. Our recommendation is to integrate empathy into the dental curriculum emphasizing interactive communication skills and early patient contact.