Interproximal caries assessment decision making and treatment among dental students and practitioners in Saudi Arabia

Aim: This study aims to assess the knowledge and perception of dental students and practitioners. Moreover, to assess their restorative threshold, restorative technique, and knowledge of the materials used to treat interproximal caries in Saudi Arabia. Materials and Methods: A cross sectional study, directing dental students and practitioners in Saudi Arabia (n=400). Survey was conducted using an online questionnaire taken from Practice-Based Research Networks; it was distributed on Social Media platforms (Twitter, Snapchat and WhatsApp) for a period of 5 weeks, the study duration was between October and November 2019. Data analysis was done using (IBM-SPSS, Armonk) version 25. Ethical approval was obtained prior to survey distribution (ethical approval code: RC/IRB/2019/271). Results: Carious lesions reaching the [dentinoenamel junction (DEJ)] reported divergent treatment approaches in comparison to enamel caries. 40.8% suggested minimal intervention using [preventive resin restoration (PRR)], while 24.5% chose fluoride application and follow up rather than intervention and restoration placement. Conclusion: Decision making in restorative treatment of interproximal carious lesions showed noticeable variation depending on caries reaching the DEJ and at the surface of enamel. Cutting into lesions with radiolucency at the outer third of dentin seems to be the treatment of choice among dentists in Saudi Arabia.