Reframing Perceptions in Operative Dentistry: Evidence-Based Dentistry and Clinical Decision Making

Abstract

Abstract Background: The aim of the current study was to investigate current dental practice in operative dentistry in Jordan, and the relationship between evidence-based dentistry in caries research and decision making in clinical practice in operative dentistry. Methods: The study was conducted through a survey of dentists in Jordan. The survey aimed to explore the degree of knowledge and practice of evidence-based dentistry in caries research the dentists possess regarding clinical decision making in operative dentistry. Results: Nearly half of the surveyed dentists focus on the chief complaint of their patients (50.8%) rather than doing full mouth assessment. Nearly two-thirds of dentists (65.2%) treat lesions confined to enamel with operative treatment. Half of dentists use operative treatment when asked about the routine management of radiographically detected proximal caries confined to enamel. When treating incipient lesions, the majority (80.5%) use preventive treatment, and three-quarters of dentists treat deep dentinal caries by removing just the soft infected carious dentin, and treated old failed restorations with replacement. Conclusion: clinical decision-making in operative dentistry is not based solely on evidence-based dentistry. Research findings are not translated clinically. To optimize relationship between evidence-based dentistry and clinical decision-making dental curriculum has to be updated and modified constantly.