Influence of examiners' experience on the reproducibility of different gold standard techniques and histological criteria for validation of the diagnosis of occlusal caries lesions.

The aims of this study were to evaluate the influence (1) of the examiner experience and (2) three histological classification criteria on the reproducibility of two gold standard techniques (non-dye or dye) for validation of the diagnosis of occlusal caries. This study comprised a sample of 210 digital images of 105 permanent teeth (105 rhodamine B dyed and 105 dye-free hemisections) and six examiners. Images were evaluated on a laptop computer and categorised according to three different histological classification criteria (proposed by Ekstrand, Lussi or Downer) and repeated in order to allow reproducibility calculation.

Effectiveness of a standardized treatment protocol for children with active non-cavitated occlusal lesions on erupting permanent molars.

Objective: To evaluate the effectiveness of a treatment for non-cavitated occlusal lesions on erupting permanent molars and to verify whether initial eruption stage and final biofilm accumulation are associated with lesions activity after the treatment.

Methods: Forty-eight patients aged from 5 to 13 years old were selected. Molars with active non-cavitated lesions on the occlusal surface were classified according to eruption stage.

Performance of experienced dentists in Switzerland after an e-learning program on ICDAS occlusal caries detection.

This study aimed to evaluate the effect of an e-learning program on the validity and reproducibility of the International Caries Detection and Assessment System (ICDAS) in detecting occlusal caries. For the study, 170 permanent molars were selected. Four dentists in Switzerland who had no previous contact with ICDAS examined the teeth before and after the e-learning program and scored the sites according to ICDAS.