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

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. 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. 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. 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.