Sammanfattning
The aims of this study were to investigate attitudes towards excavation endpoint and leaving carious dentine under the restoration, preferred materials, instruments and management methods for deep carious lesion and carious exposure among general dental practitioners in Norway. Also, to find any association between management method and background characteristics.
A questionnaire was sent to a simple random sample (n = 589) of Norwegian dentists. Chi-square test, Mann-Whitney test and binary logistic regression were used for the statistical analyses.
Out of the 589 questionnaires sent 295 (50 %) responses were received, of which 96 were excluded. In total 199 (33.8 %) questionnaires were analysed. There was an over-representation of publicly employed dentists. Most respondents (130, 69 %) preferred to excavate the cavity until it feels hard, since most of them (125, 62,8 %) believe that cariogenic microorganisms must be removed as otherwise carious lesion might progress under a restoration. The majority (167, 84,3 %) preferred stepwise excavation in a young adult patient. Dentists' perception about the detrimental role of bacteria left under a restoration might lead to the over-excavation of the pulpal wall during the second step of stepwise excavation, which may increase the risk for pulpal exposure. The preference of stepwise excavation associated with graduation from Norway (OR=3,3, 95 % CI 1,3 - 8,0). When carious exposure, the majority preferred direct pulp capping (135, 68 %). Direct pulp capping associated with reading scientific articles (OR=2,8, 95 % CI 1,3 - 6,2).
Stepwise excavation seems to be the prevailing management option among Norwegian dentists. The dental program is likely to be the most important factor for management preferences; therefore, study programs should be constantly re-evaluated according to new evidence. Scientific articles also appear to have an influence on management preferences, therefore there is a need for higher number of scientific publications.