ABSTRACT Little is known about how Brazilian dentists’ treatment decisions for proximal carious lesions are compared to current evidence-based recommendations, so better understanding is needed to close any potential evidence-practice gap. Objectives: This cross-sectional study aimed to quantify the evidence-practice gap about proximal carious lesions treatment and identify dentist factors associated with this evidence-practice gap. Methods: Brazilian dentists (n=214) from Araraquara, São Paulo State, “completed a questionnaire about their dentist and practice characteristics and a translated version of the “Assessment of Caries Diagnosis and Caries Treatment” from the U.S. National Dental Practice-Based Research Network. Five radiographic images of proximal carious lesions in low-risk and high-risk patient scenarios were used. Associations between treatment recommendations and lesion, dentist, and practice characteristics were tested for statistical significance (p<0.05). Results: Lesions confined to the enamel would be restored by 35% and 71% of dentists in the low-risk and high-risk patient scenarios, respectively, suggesting a substantial evidence-practice gap given that surgical intervention of enamel lesions is not consistent with current evidence. The lesion depth threshold to recommend a permanent restoration differed between the low-risk and high-risk patient scenarios (p<0.001). Specific dentist/practice characteristics (dentist gender, graduate of a public dental school, postgraduate training, use of caries risk assessment) were significantly associated with the evidence-practice gap, but the magnitude of these differences was not major Conclusion: A substantial evidence-practice gap in treatment of proximal carious lesions was found for the sample overall, even when clinical scenarios presented low-risk patients. Global strategies are needed to close this substantial evidence-practice gap.

RESUMO Pouco se sabe se as decisões de tratamento dos dentistas brasileiros para lesões cariosas proximais são comparadas às recomendações atuais baseadas em evidências, portanto, é necessário um melhor entendimento para fechar qualquer potencial lacuna entre a evidência e a prática. Purpose: Este estudo transversal teve como objetivo quantificar a lacuna entre a evidência e a prática na decisão de tratamento das lesões cariosas proximais e identificar os fatores associados a essa lacuna entre a evidência e a prática. Methods: Cirurgiões-dentistas brasileiros (n=214) de Araraquara, Estado de São Paulo, preencheram um questionário sobre suas características odontológicas e clínicas e uma versão traduzida do “Assessment of Caries Diagnosis and Caries Treatment” da U.S. National Dental Practice-Based Research Network. Cinco imagens radiográficas de lesões cariosas proximais em cenários de pacientes de baixo risco e alto risco foram usadas. Associações entre recomendações de tratamento e lesão, dentista e características da prática foram testadas (p<0,05). Results: As lesões confinadas ao esmalte seriam restauradas por 35% e 71% dos dentistas nos cenários de pacientes de baixo risco e alto risco, respectivamente, sugerindo uma lacuna entre a evidência e a prática substancial, dado que a intervenção cirúrgica das lesões do esmalte não é consistente com as evidências atuais. O limiar de profundidade da lesão para recomendar uma restauração permanente diferiu entre os cenários de pacientes de baixo risco e alto risco (p<0,001). Características específicas do dentista/prática (sexo do dentista, graduado em uma faculdade pública, pós-graduação, uso da avaliação de risco de cárie) foram significativamente associadas à lacuna entre a evidência e a prática, mas a magnitude dessas diferenças não foi importante. Conclusions: uma lacuna entre a evidência e a prática substancial na decisão de tratamento de lesões cariosas proximais foi encontrada para a amostra como um todo, mesmo quando os cenários clínicos apresentavam pacientes de baixo risco. Estratégias globais são necessárias para fechar essa lacuna entre a evidência e a prática.

Abstract Data on dental practices related to caries risk assessment (CRA) are scarce among Brazilian dentists. This study aimed to determine the prevalence of CRA use by dentists and factors associated with its use, as well as to quantify dentists’ ratings of the importance of specific factors when treatment planning. Dentists registered at the Regional Council of Dentistry of São Paulo State – Araraquara region were sent two paper questionnaires that comprised: a) characteristics of dentists themselves, their practices, and their patients; and b) the translated version of the “Assessment of Caries Diagnosis and Caries Treatment” Questionnaire from the U.S. National Dental Practice-Based Research Network. Participants were 206 dentists who currently practiced in Araraquara and treated dental caries. Descriptive statistics and multiple logistic regression analyses were used for data analysis. Thirty-six percent of the dentists reported they perform CRA and, among them, 36% indicated they record the assessment on a special form that is kept in the patient chart. More years since dental school graduation (OR = 1.1, p = 0.002) and holding an advanced academic degree (OR=2.6, p=0.005) were associated with a higher likelihood of performing CRA, whereas exclusively using a private practice model (OR = 0.5, p = 0.016) was associated with a lower likelihood of performing CRA. The current oral hygiene and commitment to return for follow-up were the most important risk factors for treatment planning. In conclusion, CRA was not a routine procedure in daily practice among the majority of participating dentists. Specific demographic, practice and academic education characteristics were associated with performing CRA.

ABSTRACT Objective: To describe the dental practice patterns related to caries prevention in children aged 6-18 years and associated factors. Material and Methods: Dentists (n=162) from Araraquara, Brazil, completed two paper questionnaires: (1) one about characteristics of their practice and their patient population; and (2) a translated version of the “Assessment of Caries Diagnosis and Caries Treatment” Questionnaire from the National Dental Practice-Based Research Network. Regression analyses were used for data analysis (p<0.05). Results: Dentists reported using in-office fluoride (IOF) and dental sealants (DS) in 74.2% and 45.1% of their pediatric patients, respectively. Regression analysis showed that female dentists (p=0.035 for DS; p=0.044 for IOF; p=0.011 for non-prescription fluoride rinse), those with advanced degrees (p=0.032 for prescription of fluoride), those who graduated from a private dental school (p=0.018 for chlorhexidine rinse), those who provided caries prevention regimens (p<0.001 for DS; p=0.004 for IOF; p=0.013 for non-prescription fluoride rinse), those with a greater percentage of patients interested in a caries prevention regimen (p=0.007 for non-prescription fluoride rinse), those working in a private practice model (p=0.047 for prescription of fluoride) were more likely to recommend some type of preventive methods to their pediatric patients. Conclusion: Dentists reported recommending IOF to most of their pediatric patients. Certain dentists’, practices’, and patients’ characteristics were associated to some caries prevention regimens recommended by dentists.

Objectives To assess the relationships among alkali production, diet, oral health behaviors, and oral hygiene. Methods Data from 52 subjects including demographics, diet, and oral hygiene scores were analyzed against the level of arginine and urea enzymes in plaque and saliva samples. An oral habit survey was completed that included: use of tobacco (TB), alcohol (AH), sugary drinks (SD), and diet. Alkali production through arginine deiminase (ADS) and urease activities were measured in smooth-surface supragingival dental plaque and un stimulated saliva samples from all subjects. ADS and urease activities were measured by quantification of the ammonia generated from the incubation of plaque or saliva samples. Spearman correlations were used to compute all associations. Results Participants in the lowest SES (Socio-economic status) group had the habit of consuming sugary drinks the most and had the highest rate of tobacco use. Males consumed significantly more alcohol than females. No significant relationship was found between age or gender and alkali production. Higher rates of sugary drink consumption and tobacco use were significantly related to lower alkali production. Conclusion The study showed a relationship between alkali production and oral hygiene, diet, and certain oral health behaviors. Poor oral hygiene was significantly associated with age, lower SES, tobacco use, and alcohol, and sugary drinks consumption. Clinical relevance Certain oral health behaviors have an impact on oral hygiene and on alkali production; it is important to address these factors with patients as a strategy for caries control.