Abstract

Objective: The aim of this study is to evaluate variation of the periodontal diagnosis (according to 2017 classification) and treatment planning of two periodontal cases among specialists and residents of Periodontics and other restorative dental specialists (Prosthodontics and Operative & Endodontics) and General Dental Practitioners.
Methodology: A cross-sectional study included 3 cohorts (general dental practitioners, periodontists and other restorative specialists). Stratified sampling technique by using proportional allocation was used to collect data. Electronic questionnaire was filled by the dentists in face-to-face meeting. The questionnaire contained two clinical cases of periodontitis, followed by a question regarding diagnosis using 2017 periodontal classification, treatment options and radiographic judgment about bone loss. There responses were compared among groups using descriptive statistics, Chi-square test, binary and multinomial logistic regression model.
Results: 290 questionnaires were obtained in total. Multivariate regression analysis disclosed that highest number of correct diagnosis in case 1 and 2 were made by periodontists; Large proportion of general dentists diagnosed case 1 correctly but failed to correctly diagnose case 2. Restorative specialists fail to diagnose both cases (p>0.05) according to 2017 classification when compared to periodontists. Regarding questions about treatment planning, there was an agreement related to quadrant wise scaling over the other options but significant differences (p

Key words: Periodontology, Evidence-Based Practice, Diagnosis, Treatment planning, Periodontal classification 2017