Periodontal precision: diagnostic skills and confidence of dentists in Asian countries in applying the 2017 EFP/AAP periodontal disease classification- a cross-sectional pilot study

Background: The classification of periodontal disease published in 2017 by the European Federation of Periodontology (EFP) and American Academy of Periodontology (AAP), provides a framework for diagnosis and treatment. The aim of this study was to evaluate the diagnostic skills and self-perceived confidence of dentists and dental students based in Asian countries in the use of this classification. Methods: A cross-sectional analytic study design was employed. An online questionnaire encompassing four periodontitis cases was used for data collection. A total of 500 participants were invited to provide a diagnosis and rate their confidence for each case. Results: Responses were provided by 312 participants completed including 192 females and 120 males. Analysis of variance (ANOVA) showed a statistically significant difference in accuracy across cases by Professional Role (F (9,924) = 2.304, p = 0.005), and an overall difference on accuracy by Professional Role (F (1,308) = 2.304, p = 0.012). The diagnostic accuracy mean was highest for periodontics specialists (57.81 ± 49.78) followed by general dentists (50.00 ± 50.31), other dental specialists (45.00 ± 50.06); and dental students (25.00 ± 43.55). A statistically significant difference in confidence was noted across Age Groups, Gender, and Roles (F_(1,291) = 6.356, p < 0.001; F_(1,293) = 13.747, p < 0.001; F_(1,291) = 8.731, p < 0.001 respectively). There was no statistically significant effect on confidence ratings by any interaction between Location and Case. Conclusion: The study shows the diagnostic accuracy and confidence was highest amongst periodontology specialists followed by general dentists and undergraduate students. Overall the participants showed suboptimal diagnostic accuracy and confidence.