Restorative treatment decisions of Croatian university teachers

Objectives: This study aimed to identify differences in diagnostic criteria and restorative treatment among Croatian University teachers. Methods: The questionnaire was distributed to Croatian university teachers in Zagreb and Rijeka. Responses were collected from 59 (49.2%) university teachers. Treatment thresholds for hypothetical approximal and occlusal caries, as well as most favoured types of restorative techniques and materials were assessed. Results: The majority (35%) would treat a carious lesion confined to the enamel while 34% of the respondents would intervene for an approximal carious lesion at the dentin-enamel junction. The leading strategy for occlusal caries was postponing operative treatment until the caries lesion was in the outer third of dentin and removing carious tissue only. Composite resin was the predominant material of choice for restoration of approximal and occlusal caries (68% and 81% respectively). More than half (54%) of Croatian university teachers believed the radiographs underestimated the depth of the caries lesion compared with clinical finding. Conclusion: Findings of this study should be a guideline for Croatian university teachers for a more consistent and modern teaching on the subject of caries management.