Survey of Croatian Dentists’ Restorative Treatment Decisions on Approximal Caries Lesions

AIM: To assess Croatian dentists' restorative treatment decisions on approximal caries lesions, including treatment threshold and restorative methods and materials. METHODS: Croatian translation of the questionnaire assessing restorative treatment decisions on approximal caries, previously validated and used in Norway and Sweden, was distributed to a random sample (n=800) of Croatian dentists. A total of 307 (38%) dentists answered the questionnaire. The assessed variables were treatment threshold for hypothetical approximal caries lesion and the most favored types of restorative techniques and materials. RESULTS: A third of the respondents (39%, 95% confidence interval [CI], 34-44%) would intervene for an approximal caries lesion at the dentin-enamel junction, but a larger proportion (42%; 95% CI, 36-48%) would treat a caries lesion confined to the enamel. For restoration of approximal caries, the majority (66%; 95% CI, 61-71%) would use composite resin. CONCLUSION: Croatian dentists tend to restore approximal caries lesions when the lesions are confined to the enamel and their development can still be arrested.