The expectafion of dentists in relation to indicating cariogenic activity tests and their application in daily clinical practice

Abstract

The application of a series of questions to dentists in an attempt to know their expectations in relation to indicating cariogenic activity tests and their clínical application as a routine showed that the individuals havegot a satisfactory idea about the term "Caries Risk". Those professionals showed to be scientifically informed and had enough knowledge about microbiologicalanalyses cf S. mutans and Lactobacillus counts and biochemical tests of salivar secretion and buffer capacity. Despite to believe about the possibility to applied such tests in their clinical office,most of them has suggested to make them out in professional place, such as: universities ar private laboratories. Some professionals revealed that these tests are not easy to put into practice and they require special and appropriate conditions to be performed. Most of the dentists would adopted such tests as a routine in their clinical practice and work institution. They would also consider very important the execution of these early examinations as an aid in a clinicaldiagnosis. Key words: caries risk, biochemical and microbiological tests, dentists expectations.