Evaluation of the potential effects of different educational levels on treatment planning in patients with periodontitis defined according to the recent classification criteria

The World Workshop on the Classification of Periodontal and Periimplant Diseases and Conditions introduced an updated periodontitis case identification system in 2017. The aim of this study is to evaluate the level of agreement in the diagnosis of periodontitis cases and treatment planning among periodontology specialists, residents and dentistry students using the current periodontal diseases classification. A questionnaire consisting of 10 cases of perioodontitis was presented to the participants and after determining the diagnosis in terms of stage, grade and distribution, they were asked to mark treatment options. The level of agreement of all participants for stage, grade and extent was found to be moderate or lower (κ=0.366; 0.222; 0.222). There was a significant difference between the groups in terms of grade (p=0.012). The consistency among the experts was found to be moderate for stage, grade and extent, with the distribution being higher (κ=0.498; 0.400; 0.500). In treatment responses, specialists gave more accurate answers compared to others. It was observed that the agreement among students was lower in the treatments for pocket elimination and furcation treatment compared to specialists and residents. As a result, all participants, especially students, showed low compliance in diagnosis and treatment planning. This discrepancy was much more evident in the evaluation of the degree of diagnosis than the stage. Current results revealed that clinicians' knowledge of diagnosis and treatment planning regarding current classification should be increased. Therefore, in order to reduce the errors of current periodontitis diagnosis and treatment planning, and to make an optimal treatment plan, it is recommended that within the context of evidence-based dentistry, treatment guidelines may be more effectively implemented into clinical practice.