Knowledge, attitudes, and behaviors of federal service and civilian dentists concerning minimal intervention dentistry.
BACKGROUND
Although minimal intervention dentistry (MID) is on the increase, little is known about the patterns of knowledge, attitudes, and behaviors of dentists in the United States.


METHODS
Federal service and civilian dentists who were active members of the American Dental Association (N = 1,500) received a pretested questionnaire about their knowledge, attitudes, and behaviors concerning MID. Descriptive statistics and bivariate analyses were conducted to assess dentist personal and practice characteristics associated with the knowledge, attitudes, and behaviors.


RESULTS
Federal service dentists reported more knowledge of MID than civilian dentists (Cochrane Mantel Haenszel Ridit Scores), p < 0.0043, with similar attitudes toward fluoride (p = 0.11), and decisions regarding monitoring or restoring enamel caries (p = 0.22). Federal service dentists remineralized noncavitated carious lesions more (p < 0.0001) and had lower composite scores, indicating more MID tendency (Wilcoxon p < 0.0001).


CONCLUSIONS
Federal service dentists reported more knowledge and clinical practices regarding minimal intervention dentistry compared to civilian dentists.
Gaskin
Elizabeth B
EB
11th Dental Company Detachment, Marine Corps Air Station, Iwakuni, Japan 96310.
Levy
Steven
S
Guzman-Armstrong
Sandra
S
Dawson
Deborah
D
Chalmers
Jane
J
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000704:Analysis of Variance; D002983:Clinical Competence / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D005260:Female; D019538:Health Care Surveys; D007722:Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D008885:Military Dentistry / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D008889:Military Personnel / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D015999:Multivariate Analysis; D010685:Philosophy, Dental; D019239:Practice Patterns, Dentists' / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D014481:United States; D055815:Young Adult