Comparing Military and Civilian Dentists’ Treatment Planning Decisions: A Pilot Study

Significant differences in treatment planning outcomes between civilian and military providers exist. Civilian providers are more likely to refer patients for orthodontic treatment and prescribe remineralization, direct restorations instead of single crowns, and third molar extractions, while military providers are more likely to prescribe sealants for sound tooth surfaces or carious teeth. Therefore, comparisons of treatment planning outcomes between civilian and military providers warrant further research.