Knowledge, attitudes, and behaviors of federal service and civilian dentists concerning minimal intervention dentistry.

Background: Although minimal intervention dentistry (MID) is on the increase, little is known about the patterns of knowledge, attitudes, and behaviors of dentists in the United States.

Methods: Federal service and civilian dentists who were active members of the American Dental Association (N = 1,500) received a pretested questionnaire about their knowledge, attitudes, and behaviors concerning MID. Descriptive statistics and bivariate analyses were conducted to assess dentist personal and practice characteristics associated with the knowledge, attitudes, and behaviors.

Results: Federal service dentists reported more knowledge of MID than civilian dentists (Cochrane Mantel Haenszel Ridit Scores), p < 0.0043, with similar attitudes toward fluoride (p = 0.11), and decisions regarding monitoring or restoring enamel caries (p = 0.22). Federal service dentists remineralized noncavitated carious lesions more (p < 0.0001) and had lower composite scores, indicating more MID tendency (Wilcoxon p < 0.0001).

Conclusion: Federal service dentists reported more knowledge and clinical practices regarding minimal intervention dentistry compared to civilian dentists.