Knowledge, attitudes, and behaviors of federal service and civilian dentists concerning minimal intervention dentistry.

BACKGROUND: Although minimal intervention dentistry (MID) is on the increase, little is known about the patterns of knowledge, attitudes, and behaviors of dentists in the United States. METHODS: Federal service and civilian dentists who were active members of the American Dental Association (N = 1,500) received a pretested questionnaire about their knowledge, attitudes, and behaviors concerning MID. Descriptive statistics and bivariate analyses were conducted to assess dentist personal and practice characteristics associated with the knowledge, attitudes, and behaviors. RESULTS: Federal service dentists reported more knowledge of MID than civilian dentists (Cochrane Mantel Haenszel Ridit Scores), p < 0.0043, with similar attitudes toward fluoride (p = 0.11), and decisions regarding monitoring or restoring enamel caries (p = 0.22). Federal service dentists remineralized noncavitated carious lesions more (p < 0.0001) and had lower composite scores, indicating more MID tendency (Wilcoxon p < 0.0001). CONCLUSION: Federal service dentists reported more knowledge and clinical practices regarding minimal intervention dentistry compared to civilian dentists.

Fluorescence changes in remineralized and nonremineralized enamel adjacent to glass ionomer ART restorations: an in vitro study.

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to evaluate fluorescence changes of remineralized and nonremineralized enamel margins adjacent to glass ionomer restorations during a pH cycling sequence. METHODS: One hundred permanent molar and premolar teeth were placed in a demineralizing solution for 3 days and restored with a glass ionomer restoration (simulating Atraumatic Restorative Treatment [ART]). Half were placed in a remin solution for 7 days to create a remineralization (remin) group. Specimens were randomly divided into 4 groups (N=25): (a) 2 remin groups; and (b) 2 nonremin groups. One half of the remin and nonremin group specimens were treated with a 5,000-ppm sodium fluoride solution during pH cycling with remin fluid and an acidic beverage over 20 days. Fluorescence changes were recorded with quantitative light fluorescence (QLF). Higher fluorescence values indicated less lesion porosity. Statistical comparisons between the groups over the 5 measurement sessions of cycling were performed using repeated measures of analysis of variance with a post-hoc test, paired-sample t test and 2-sample t tests (alpha=0.05). RESULTS: The remin groups experienced significantly less lesion porosity than the nonremin groups. Fluoride groups experienced less lesion porosity than the nonfluoride groups. CONCLUSIONS: A brief period of remineralization and use of a prescription strength fluoridated rinse improved the enamel substrate surrounding glass ionomer restorations, resulting in less lesion porosity.