Variability in the integration of minimum intervention principles in caries management among dental students

Introduction/Objective. The aim of the study was to assess the knowledge and attitudes of dental students and young dentists towards caries management and principles of minimum intervention cariology. Methods. Students filled in the online questionnaire that included: 1) attitudes and knowledge about the use of caries-risk (CR) assessment tools in clinical practice; 2) treatment plans in clinical case scenarios of smooth surface and occlusal caries in relation to CR; 3) impact of different diagnostic procedures on the management of dentin caries, tooth preparation and preferred restoration techniques and materials. Results. The majority of students thought that CR should influence the treatment plan. Oral hygiene was considered the most important CR factor. More invasive treatment was chosen in high CR patients. The most important criterion for caries removal was dentin hardness. The majority of students would completely remove soft dentine in deep caries lesions, either in one-step or two-step preparation technique. Composite was the most frequently selected restorative material. Conclusions. Conventional approach to caries management is still widely accepted among students and young dentists. Their knowledge of minimum intervention dentistry is limited. Periodic assessment of implemented curriculum and teachers? calibration could serve as resources for improving the teaching process.