The teaching of Class I and Class II direct composite restorations in European dental schools

Objectives: The purpose of this descriptive study was to provide updated da ta on the teaching of Class I and Class II direct composite restorations in Europe as part of a survey of this aspect of the primary dental curriculum in Europe and North America. Methods: Data on the teaching of posterior composite restorations and relat ed matters were collected by means of a postal questionnaire sent to 185 de ntal schools known to exist in Europe. Non-respondents were sent a second q uestionnaire after two months. Further information pertaining to student re quirements was sought after six months from all respondents. Results: The response ranged from 92% for dental schools in Scandinavia to 40% from dental schools in Southern Europe with an overall response of 56%. All but four of the 104 participating schools were found to teach the use of composites in Class I and Class II, two-surface situations in at least p remolar teeth. Contraindications and techniques taught for posterior compos ites varied within and between the country groupings of Northern and Centra l Europe, Scandinavia, Southern Europe and Eastern Europe. However, certain consensus views were identified. The experience of adverse biological reac tions to the use of resin-based restoratives in European dental schools was found to be limited. Conclusions: Notwithstanding the variation in the response from the four ge ographic regions investigated and the relatively low overall response to th e questionnaire, it is concluded that the data reported indicates that most dental schools in Europe teach the use of composites in selected Class I a nd Class II situations. However, considerable variation exists both within and between the regions investigated in relation to this teaching. Further research and consensus conferences should be planned to reduce variability across Europe in relation to the contraindications and techniques taught fo r posterior composites. (C) 1999 Elsevier Science Ltd. All rights reserved.