فهرست نشریات علمی دسترسی آزاد ایران

Objective(s): This study aimed to evaluate the effectiveness of the International Caries Detection and Assessment System (ICDAS) practical training in dental education, focusing on its impact on the accuracy of caries detection among dental students. Methods: In this quasi-experimental study, 18 dental students were enrolled and divided into control (theoretical training) and experimental (theoretical and practical training) groups (N=9 in each group). Theoretical training covered the ICDAS system's principles, coding methods, and caries examination techniques, while practical training involved hands-on experience on diagnosing caries in four patients identified with different ICDAS codes. Participants’ diagnostic performance was subsequently assessed at the chairside of a new patient. Statistical analysis included Fisher's exact test and logistic regression at p<0.05. Results: The experimental group significantly outperformed the control group in diagnostic accuracy, particularly for ICDAS codes 0, 1, and 4 (p=0.02, p=0.02, and p=0.004, respectively). Similarly, the experimental group achieved 100% accuracy for codes 0, 1, 5, and 6, while the control group showed lower accuracy, especially for codes 0 and 1. Conclusion: The findings highlight the importance of integrating practical training with theoretical instruction. The ICDAS-based practical education is crucial for enhancing diagnostic accuracy among dental students. Incorporating such training into dental curricula could improve caries assessment, ultimately leading to better patient outcomes. Future studies should explore these findings in larger and more diverse clinical settings.