Influence of educational background on stated retreatment choices for suboptimal fixed prosthodontic conditions

Abstract

Purpose: The aim of this study was to compare the stated retreatment choices for defined, suboptimal fixed prosthodontic scenarios among groups of dental professionals with differing levels of education. Materials and Methods: The study population (n = 75) comprised interns (n = 27), various categories of graduate students (n = 32), and specialist staff (n = 16) from the same institution. Participants were required to record their choices of retreatment or no retreatment for 22 suboptimal fixed prosthodontic scenarios. Results: Participants' choices varied within and between groups, with regard to specific scenarios. Intergroup differences that were statistically significant were for faulty occlusion (p= 0.013), open margin (p= 0.019), defective root filling (p= 0.001), periapical radiolucency (p= 0.011), and improper pontic design (p= 0.005), when no signs and symptoms, no caries, or no inflammation were present. The results confirm the widely-acknowledged variability in decision making that exists among dental professionals in general. Conclusion: The tendency for a significantly more interventive approach by those on a training pathway focused on imparting primarily clinical/technical skills than those enrolled in more conventional, academically-based programs, suggests that an educational dimension cannot be overlooked in the characterization of dentists' stated retreatment decision choices.