Caries risk assessment by dental students and dentists in the Netherlands - a survey study to assess knowledge and implementation

INTRODUCTION: To prevent caries with targeted strategies and to act conservatively, it is essential oral health care providers perform an individual caries risk assessment (CRA). This study aims to explore knowledge and application regarding CRA by Dutch fifth-year dental students (D5DS) and practitioners (DDPs).

METHODS: A survey was conducted through a questionnaire sent at random to a group of 1,500 members of the Royal Dutch Dental Association (KNMT) and to 213 D5DS from all three dental schools in the Netherlands.

RESULTS: Of the 374 DDP respondents (25%), 79% reported to perform CRA in routine practice. Female dentists reported using CRA in their daily practice more often than males (p=0.008). The questionnaire was completed by 118 D5DS (55%). All D5DS respondents reported using CRA and most students were familiar with Dutch prevention-oriented methods. Eighteen percent of them did not make an individual treatment plan based on caries risk. The familiarity of DDPs regarding Dutch prevention-oriented methods was lower than its of students (p<0.001). In both groups of respondents, oral hygiene and diet were the two most important factors considered when assessing caries risk in patients whatever their age.

CONCLUSION: CRA is applied less frequently in the general practice compared to student clinics at university. Our results suggest that dentists in the Netherlands could improve their knowledge about cariology by continuing education. Dental schools should emphasize implementation of the knowledge in clinical practice. In addition, a uniform and evidence-based method to perform CRA in the dental practice is needed.