Opinions and Treatment Decisions for Dental Erosive Wear: A Questionnaire Survey among Icelandic Dentists

Abstract

Dental erosive wear (DEW) is common among children and adolescents, and a survey of Icelandic children showed that 30.7% of 15-year-olds were diagnosed with the condition. Objective. To gain knowledge about dental practitioners' experiences, opinions, and treatment decisions. Materials and Methods. A precoded questionnaire, previously used among Norwegian dentists, was sent electronically to all dentists in Iceland (n = 341). Results. The response rate was 64.2%, and 58% of dentists were male. More than half of the clinicians (54%) thought that prevalence had increased the last 10–15 years, and 67% reported it to be more common in male. Most (96%) recorded presence of DEW, but only 4% used a detailed scoring system. Lesions were mostly on occlusal surfaces of first mandibular molars (73%), on palatal in upper anterior teeth (61%), and on occlusal of maxillary first molars (36%). Most dentists (74%) reported a probable cause, e.g., high consumption of carbonated beverages (98%), acidic juices (68%), sport drinks (58%), reflux (54%), and eating disorders (20%). Dietary history was often recorded by 38%, and 65% never measured saliva. Most of the dentists (88%) treated patients themselves, and half of them preferred prevention with high fluoride and resin sealants. While some dentists wanted to restore teeth more invasively, most considered to restore with a filling. Conclusion. Icelandic dentists seem to be well educated for diagnosis and treatment of dental erosion, and dentists are aware of a minimally invasive approach. Clinical Significance. It is challenging for dentists to make the best treatment decision for patients with DEW, both in a short perspective and long perspective. At present, little is known about their knowledge and treatment approach, and there is no standard treatment which can be recommended. Therefore, the present study investigated dental practitioners' treatment decisions, as well as knowledge, experiences, and awareness of DEW.

How dentists diagnose and treat erosive tooth wear in Finland? – A questionnaire survey

“…Here, as much as 80% of the respondents never measure the saliva secretion rate. The corresponding rates in the Icelandic and Norwegian surveys were 65% and 73% [8,9].…”

“…The questionnaire was used previously in similar studies in Norway in 2012 [8] and in Iceland in 2018 [9]. The original questionnaire was translated into English by a Norwegian research group, and the English version was translated into Finnish by two of the authors (TT, VA).…”

“…The written consent for publication of the clinical photographs was obtained before the Norwegian study by one of the authors (AM) [8]. This consent covered also further studies using the same questionnaire [9], including this particular study.…”

“…Not much data is available on how clinical dental practitioners record, diagnose and treat ETW [8,9].…”

Awareness, knowledge and treatment decisions for erosive tooth wear: A case‐based questionnaire among Danish dentists

“…Previous studies from Norway and Iceland have indicated that dentists generally are well educated with respect to diagnosis and treatment of ETW although dietary and salivary analyses had low priority. (Mulic, Árnadòttir, Jensdottir, & Kopperud, 2018; Mulic, Vidnes‐Kopperud, Skaare, Tveit, & Young, 2012). A recent questionnaire among dentists from Germany displayed that the decision‐making was mainly dependent on the lesion depth, size of affected surfaces and the presence of pain (Kanzow, Biermann, & Wiegand, 2019).…”