title: Repair vs replacement of direct composite restorations: a survey of teaching and operative techniques in Oceania.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To evaluate the teaching and operative techniques for the repair and/or replacement of direct resin-based composite restorations (DCRs) in dental schools in Oceania.
  
  
  METHODS
  A 14-item questionnaire was mailed to the heads of operative dentistry in 16 dental schools in Oceania (Australia, New Zealand, Fiji and Papua New Guinea). The survey asked whether the repair of DCRs was taught within the curriculum; the rationale behind the teaching; how techniques were taught, indications for repair, operative techniques, materials used, patient acceptability, expected longevity and recall systems.
  
  
  RESULTS
  All 16 schools participated in the study. Thirteen (81%) reported the teaching of composite repairs as an alternative to replacement. Most schools taught the theoretical and practical aspects of repair at a clinical level only. All 13 schools (100%) agreed on tooth substance preservation being the main reason for teaching repair. The main indications for repair were marginal defects (100%), followed by secondary caries (69%). All 13 schools that performed repairs reported high patient acceptability, and considered it a definitive measure. Only three schools (23%) claimed to have a recall system in place following repair of DCRs. Most respondents either did not know or did not answer when asked about the longevity of DCRs.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Repair of DCRs seems to be a viable alternative to replacement, which is actively taught within Oceania. Advantages include it being minimally invasive, preserving tooth structure, and time and money saving. However, standardised guidelines need to be developed and further clinical long-term studies need to be carried out.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The decision between replacing or repairing a defective composite restoration tends to be based on what clinicians have been taught, tempered by experience and judgement. This study investigated the current status of teaching and operative techniques of repair of direct composite restorations in dental schools in Oceania.
authors.affiliation: Sir John Walsh Research Institute, Faculty of Dentistry, University of Otago, 9054 Dunedin, New Zealand. Electronic address: paul.brunton@otago.ac.nz.
authors.forename: Paul A
authors.initials: PA
authors.lastname: Brunton
authors.affiliation: Sir John Walsh Research Institute, Faculty of Dentistry, University of Otago, 9054 Dunedin, New Zealand.
authors.forename: Amna
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Ghazali
authors.affiliation: Sir John Walsh Research Institute, Faculty of Dentistry, University of Otago, 9054 Dunedin, New Zealand.
authors.forename: Zahidah H
authors.initials: ZH
authors.lastname: Tarif
authors.affiliation: Sir John Walsh Research Institute, Faculty of Dentistry, University of Otago, 9054 Dunedin, New Zealand.
authors.forename: Carolina
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Loch
authors.affiliation: Restorative Dentistry, University Dental School & Hospital, Wilton, Cork, Ireland.
authors.forename: Christopher
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Lynch
authors.affiliation: King's College London Dental Institute, London, UK.
authors.forename: Nairn
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Wilson
authors.affiliation: King's College Hospital and King's College London Dental Institute, London, UK.
authors.forename: Igor R
authors.initials: IR
authors.lastname: Blum
mesh_terms: D003188:Composite Resins / Q000737:chemistry; D003479:Curriculum; D001840:Dental Bonding; D003731:Dental Caries; D003764:Dental Materials / Q000737:chemistry; D019232:Dental Restoration Failure; D058250:Dental Restoration Repair / Q000379:methods*; D003793:Dental Restoration, Permanent / Q000379:methods*; D003814:Dentistry, Operative / Q000193:education*; D004497:Education, Dental; D006801:Humans; D044349:Oceania; D019233:Retreatment; D012575:Schools, Dental / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires
chemical_list: D003188:Composite Resins; D003764:Dental Materials
keywords: Australia; Curriculum; New Zealand; Restorative dentistry