Minimal intervention procedures: evaluating how much pediatric dentists really know about this field

Abstract

The aim of this cross-sectional study was to evaluate how much pediatric dentists know about the noninvasive, micro, and minimally invasive strategies for managing caries lesions in deciduous teeth. An electronic questionnaire was sent to pediatric dentists enrolled in the Regional Board of Dentistry. Information was collected concerning: 1) characteristics of the participants; 2) level of updated knowledge of noninvasive, micro and minimally invasive procedures for caries management in children; 3) agreement to sentences on the indicated procedures. The data were analyzed descriptively and with bivariate tests. Seventy pediatric dentists participated. Results showed high frequency of agreement with sentences on strategies for lesion caries management: 92.8% with the sentence on selective removal of decayed tissue; 90.0% on fluoridated toothpaste (≥1,000 ppm); 84.3% on silver diamine fluoride (SDF); 80.0% on the Hall technique; and 76.9% on the sealing of small dentine lesions. Level of agreement with sentences was not significantly related to variables of time since graduation, degree of updatedness, area of employment, or higher education degree (p > 0.05). A higher score on agreement toward SDF use was accompanied by a greater degree of self-declared updatedness on noninvasive, micro and minimally invasive procedures for caries management in children (rho 0.259; p = 0.031). Pediatric dentists consider themselves updated and agree with the sentences on recommended use of fluoridated toothpaste as of eruption of the first tooth, and on the selective removal of decayed tissue. Disagreement still continues regarding application of SDF to arrest lesion progression, sealing of small dentin lesions, and the Hall technique.