Clinical Strategies for Managing Dental Caries in Egypt: Opinions of General Practitioner Dentists

Background: To assess the approach of GPDs in Upper Egypt regarding preventive and restorative treatments for various stages of carious lesion development.
Methods: A 42-item questionnaire was constructed for obtaining the GPD’s opinions. Factor analyses (with Varimax rotation) were conducted to identify scales (clusters) of variables. Logistic regression analyses, with continuing professional development as dependent variable, were conducted to test for the effect of single and scaled factors regarding indications to perform preventive or restorative treatments.
Results: All 70 participants returned the questionnaire. Three scale factors, i.e., treatment strategies, were identified as: ‘operative-minded dentists’ (who make >10 amalgam and resin composite restorations per week); ‘problem solvers’ (who have >10 years of experience, see >60 patients and make >10 temporary restorations per week); and ‘thinkers’ (who spend >50 hours / year on continuing professional development but also make >10 restorations per week). Logistic regression analyses found only one statistically significant relationship (p=0.03): ‘operative-minded dentists’ indicated provision of significantly less caries-preventive measures. Most patient visits were pain-induced.
Conclusion: It was concluded that most GPDs in Upper Egypt have an operative-minded treatment philosophy, and spend less time on preventive measures. Amalgam is the most common restorative material used.