Egyptian Dentists Knowledge Regarding the Diagnosis and Management of Root Caries

Overview

This is a cross-sectional study that aims to assess the knowledge of a sample of Egyptian dental practitioners regarding the diagnosis and management of root caries Dental caries is a major problem for adults in both developing and industrialized countries. As individuals get older, the prevalence of caries tends to increase.In recent decades, life expectancy has been steadily increasing. A report published by the United Nations in 2020 states that the global population of people aged 65 and over is currently 703 million, and it is expected to double in thirty years.However, this increase in life expectancy has led to an increase in health issues among the elderly, including the risk of developing root caries lesions. Root caries develop when the root surface is exposed to the oral cavity due to loss of alveolar bone height and subsequent gingival recession, leading to the softening of the tooth structure. This lesion presents a complex challenge for dental practitioners. Surgical intervention is difficult due to moisture contamination and the lesions proximity to the pulp chamber. Accurately assessing the risk and implementing appropriate preventive strategies can reduce the need for complex restorative treatments and associated dental problems

Recently, there has been growing concern about root caries lesions in routine dental practice.The concern regarding this condition is increasing, mainly linked to the discrepancies in how dentists manage root caries.Diagnosing root caries can be challenging due to limited visibility, and it requires careful examination without forceful probing of the tissue. Furthermore, the successful management of root carious lesions can be affected by various factors, including the operator expertise, knowledge, and the chosen treatment approach. These factors shape the decisions they make in their practice, including the selection of restorative materials and operative techniques.Thus, every effort needs to be made to better understand the current state of practice and trends relating to root caries management which will be of benefit to dentists universally in the practice of dentistry. Understanding dentist knowledge about root caries is highly important as they play a central role in the prevention, early detection and appropriate treatment of root caries.Gaps or deficiencies in their diagnostic skills or treatment decision-making could lead to missed or delayed diagnosis, suboptimal treatment and poor outcome for the patients By identifying areas where dentists may lack sufficient knowledge in managing root caries, the findings of this study can guide updates to dental school curricula and clinical practice guidelines. strengthening dentist competence in diagnosing and managing root caries will ultimately improve the quality of care delivered to the patients Aim of the study: The aim of this study is to assess the knowledge of Egyptian dental practitioners regarding diagnosis and management of root caries Research question: What is the knowledge of a sample of Egyptian dental practitioners about diagnosis and management of root caries lesions? POTS: Population: A sample of Egyptian dental practitioner Primary outcome: knowledge about diagnosis and management of root caries lesion Time: academic year 2024-2025 Study design: cross-sectional. Methods: Study design: Observational cross-sectional study on a sample of Egyptian dental practitioners. Settings: The study is a cross-sectional study utilizing an electronic self-administered questionnaire (SAQ) assessing the knowledge of Egyptian dental practitioners regarding the diagnosis and management of root caries.