einstein (São Paulo). 01/Oct/2015;13(4):547-54.
Differential diagnosis of dental fluorosis made by undergraduate dental students
DOI: 10.1590/S1679-45082015AO3472
ABSTRACT
Objective
To check knowledge of undergraduate dental students to make diagnosis of dental fluorosis with varying degrees of severity and choose its appropriate treatment.
Methods
Data were collected using a semi-structured questionnaire addressing knowledge of undergraduates based on ten images of mouths presenting enamel changes.
Results
Only three images were correctly diagnosed by most undergraduates; the major difficulty was in establishing dental fluorosis severity degree.
Conclusion
Despite much information about fluorosis conveyed during the Dentistry training, as defined in the course syllabus, a significant part of the students was not able to differentiate it from other lesions; they did not demonstrate expertise as to defining severity of fluorosis and indications for treatment, and could not make the correct diagnosis of enamel surface changes.
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