Awareness about minimally invasive dentistry among dental under graduates & Interns: A cross-sectional study

Abstract

Minimally Invasive Dentistry (MID) is a modern concept that attempt to keep teeth functional for life. It is the management of caries with biological approach rather than traditional surgical approach. It is to leave the traditional GV Black concept of ‘Extension for Prevention’ behind. Now, the present-day principle is ‘Constriction with Conservation’. This has been noticed that the concept of MID is still very unclear to the practicing dentists & even to the undergraduates. To understand the knowledge and awareness of undergraduates about MID a survey is important. The aim of this study is –Firstly, to assess the knowledge about MID technique among the undergraduate students and interns from my dental institution. Secondly, to also investigate whether the knowledge acquired by the students reflects in the form of a positive attitude towards practice of MID principles. A cross-sectional survey involving 50 dental students and interns of my dental institution. The questioner is close ended. The questions are to assess the respondent levels of agreement regarding diagnostic, preventive and minimally invasive restorative techniques. In this study it was found that interns had greater knowledge of MID than final years as they had greater clinical exposure. There is a need to introduce evidence-based dentistry in the dental curriculum as well as establish guidelines for caries detection, diagnosis, treatment discussion & treatment performance.