Knowledge of dental enamel defects amongst undergraduate dental students—a cross‐sectional survey

Abstract

Introduction/Objectives Enamel defects are disturbances in the quantity or quality of enamel, due to disruption or damage to the enamel organ during amelogenesis. The correct diagnosis of enamel defects is critical as diverse management options could be required for different conditions. Difficulties in diagnosis can happen, because these defects may have similar clinical presentations. This study evaluated the diagnostic skills in enamel defects of dental students of a prominent Australasian school. Methods A questionnaire consisting of clinical photographs of the affected teeth/dentition in multiple views and four standardised questions for each case of enamel defect were given to Year 4 and Year 5 students. Results Localised/Chronological Hypoplasia had the lowest percentage of correct diagnosis (20.5%), whilst Enamel White Spot Lesions (EWSLs) had the highest (85%). Localised/Chronological Hypoplasia had the lowest aetiology score (20.5%), and the highest was obtained for EWSLs (85%). In regard to which question to ask to gain insight into the conditions, Enamel Hypomineralisation/MIH had the lowest score for both Year 4 and Year 5 respondents (35.4% and 21.3%). Most respondents agreed more teaching in this topic was needed, with further clinical sessions to observe the enamel defects, workshops/seminars, lectures and student‐driven presentations suggested. Conclusion Final‐year dental students showed variable knowledge in diagnosis, aetiology and clinical management of enamel defects. Further didactic and clinical teaching should be incorporated in the undergraduate curriculum on this topic .

Avaliação do conhecimento e das percepções de estudantes de Odontologia sobre a Hipomineralização Molar-Incisivo

“…Apesar disso, o escore médio total do instrumento aplicado acerca do conhecimento e percepção de todos os alunos sobre HMI foi de 14, demonstrando pobre conhecimento acerca do assunto e que ambos os grupos necessitam de treinamento adicional em diagnóstico, etiologia e tratamento da HMI, sendo maior tal necessidade entre os iniciantes (p<0,001). Resultados similares foram observados na literatura científica (Hamza et al, 2021;Liu e He, 2022;Masri et al, 2021;Pangjag, 2020).…”

Management of Hypoplastic or Hypomineralized Defects with Resin Infiltration at Pediatric Ages: Systematic Review

“…The local factors causing this alteration are summarized as a possible trauma, which can lead to enamel hypoplasia. Among the systemic factors can be found nutritional deficit, neonatal diseases, delay in childbirth, congenital syphilis and stress [ 3 ].…”

“…Qualitative defects, known as hypomineralizations, consist of alterations in the opacity of the enamel without a reduction in its thickness [ 3 ].…”