Understanding Dental Students’ Perspectives on Novel Caries Management Approaches in India: A Cross Sectional Study

Aim and Background: The alternative caries management strategies are long advocated in the management of caries lesions due to their minimally invasive nature. However, the approach of dental students towards these techniques remains underexplored. Hence, the present study was conducted with an aim to assess awareness, attitude, and felt barriers among dental students toward alternative caries management strategies. Materials and Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted among 300 dental students, including BDS final year, interns, and postgraduate students. Study participants were selected using a probability proportional to size sampling technique. A 22-item questionnaire was prepared from the previously established literature. Face and content validity of the study tool was done by three subject experts using Lawshe’s index (CVI = 0.82). The questionnaires were sent to study participants through their registered email addresses and WhatsApp as a Google Form link. Chi-square test was used to find out the difference between the proportions, and ANOVA with post hoc analysis was applied to find the difference between mean awareness and attitude scores among the three study groups. Results: Most of the study participants (65%) were aware about these techniques. Almost half of the study participants stated that alternate/novel techniques can be used among noncooperative patients (58%), in case of lack of infrastructure (60.66%) for elaborated procedures, and for elders (70.67%). Whereas most among the study participants opined that these techniques do not restore form and function of the tooth (60%) and will affect their practices adversely (73%). Although believed that these procedures are time saving (93%), less costly (93%), and have more patient cooperation (95%). Felt barriers included lack of training (63%), patient acceptance (51%), unpredictability of outcome (54%), and chances of failure (62%). Conclusion: Postgraduates exhibited significantly higher knowledge and acceptance compared to BDS final year and interns. However, the considerable knowledge gaps among less experienced participants emphasize the need for targeted educational interventions at the undergraduate and internship levels.