Occlusal caries detection and its treatment by public health service dentists

Abstract

The aim of this study was to evaluate the interexaminer agreement related to occlusal caries detection and its treatment by public health service dentists. Twenty four public health dentists from the town of Cascavel - PR, who examined the presence and activity of caries in 20 permanent teeth, indicating a treatment plan for each surface. The interexaminer agreement for caries detection was fair, k = 0.40, for the determination of the caries activity was k = 0.40 and for the proposition of some caries treatment was k = 0.38, being, however, moderate to the treatment mode recommended (k = 0.53). Regarding the recommendation of a non-inva sive treatment, there was a predominance of an indication of a “follow-up”, and concerning the curative mode, the light-curing composite resin restorations were the most indicated ones. The data of the present study highlight the necessity of periodical training of the professionals evaluated, as well as the creation of clinical protocols of assistance, aiming the maintenance of the patients’ oral health that look for these services. Key words: Dental caries diagnosis. Occlusal caries. Decision-making process.