title: Decision making in third molar surgery: a survey of Brazilian oral and maxillofacial surgeons.
abstract: This study was designed to evaluate the variations in decision making among Brazilian oral and maxillofacial surgeons (OMFS) and trainees in relation to third molar surgery. A survey on 18 diverse clinical situations related to the assessment and treatment of the third molar surgeries was conducted during the 20th Brazilian National OMFS meeting. Participants were divided into three groups according to their level of training. Another variable studied was length of experience. Correlation between the question answers and the variables was analysed using the chi-square test and the f test. The mean age of participants was 32.68 years, and their mean length of experience was 5.24 years. There were no statistical differences between the level of training and number of years of experience and the responses to 15 of the 18 questions on clinical situations. However, differences were found in responses to prophylactic extraction of asymptomatic third molars, use of non-steriodal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) during the preoperative surgical period and the use of additional imaging to plan extractions. The group with shorter time of experience (3.8 ± 3.94 years) tended to recommend extractions of asymptomatic third molars more frequently compared with the more experienced surgeons (P = 0.041). More experienced surgeons used NSAIDs in the preoperative surgical period, whereas the majority of the youngest surgeons (4.1 ± 5.96 years of experience) did not (P = 0.0042). The certificated trained and in practice group tended to treat deep lower third molar impactions based on the findings of a panoramic radiograph, without obtaining additional imaging [cone beam computed tomography (CBCT)] before treatment (P = 0.0132). Decision making regarding third molar treatment differs according to the level of training and is influenced by the number of years of experience. Therefore, further continuous education programmes in this area are warranted to make recommendations regarding third molars consistent with the current literature.
authors: Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, College of Dentistry of Pernambuco, University of Pernambuco, Camaragibe, Brazil.|Captain-Dentist - Brazilian Army, Recife-PE, Brazil.|Military Hospital Area of Recife, Recife, Brazil.
authors: Igor Batista
authors: IB
authors: Camargo
authors: Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, College of Dentistry of Pernambuco, University of Pernambuco, Camaragibe, Brazil.
authors: Auremir Rocha
authors: AR
authors: Melo
authors: Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, College of Dentistry of Pernambuco, University of Pernambuco, Camaragibe, Brazil.
authors: André Vajgel
authors: AV
authors: Fernandes
authors: Division of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, University of Kentucky, Lexington, KY, USA.
authors: Larry L
authors: LL
authors: Cunningham
authors: Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery Dental School at Pernambuco, University of Pernambuco, Camaragibe, Brazil.
authors: José R
authors: JR
authors: Laureano Filho
authors: Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, University of Kentucky, Lexington, KY, USA.
authors: Joseph E
authors: JE
authors: Van Sickels
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000894:Anti-Inflammatory Agents, Non-Steroidal / Q000627:therapeutic use; D001291:Attitude of Health Personnel; D001938:Brazil; D002983:Clinical Competence; D054893:Cone-Beam Computed Tomography / Q000379:methods; D003657:Decision Making; D006801:Humans; D008964:Molar, Third / Q000601:surgery*; D010347:Patient Care Planning; D011292:Premedication; D011862:Radiography, Panoramic / Q000379:methods; D013515:Surgery, Oral / Q000193:education; D019228:Tooth Crown / Q000601:surgery; D014081:Tooth Extraction / Q000295:instrumentation / Q000379:methods*; D014095:Tooth, Impacted / Q000601:surgery
chemical_list: D000894:Anti-Inflammatory Agents, Non-Steroidal
keywords: Third molar; decision making; extraction; oral surgery; survey