Research abstract
British Dental Journal 193, 397 - 400 (2002)
Published online: 12 October 2002 | doi:10.1038/sj.bdj.4801575
Inter- and intra-operator reliability of the recording of occlusal contacts using 'occlusal sketch' acetate technique
S J Davies1, R J M Gray2, M Z Al-Ani3, P Sloan4 & H Worthington5
- 'Occlusal sketch' is a simple and inexpensive technique for recording oclusal contacts.
- The 'occlusal sketch' shows a high degree of inter- and intra-operator reliability.
- This technique could be useful for researchers who wish to quantify occlusal changes during different treatment modalities.
- 'Occlusal sketch' can be used, by practising dentists, as a permanent record of the patient's occlusion.
Abstract
Objectives To develop a simple way of recording occlusal contacts with proven inter- and intra-operator reliability.
Setting Clinical skills laboratory in the University Dental Hospital of Manchester.
Materials and methods The marked static occlusal contacts of 20 sets of models were recorded in a pseudo-clinical situation, by three dentists and in addition by one dentist on two occasions using a schematic representation of the dental arch |[ndash]| the 'occlusal sketch'.
Results The median of Kappa agreement for inter- and intra-operator reliability was almost perfect.
Conclusions The occlusal sketch is a simple, inexpensive and easy way of recording the results of an occlusal examination using marking papers.
- Lecturer in Dental Practice
- Hon. Fellow in Dental Medicine and Surgery
- PhD Student, Department of Prosthodontics
- Professor of Experimental Oral Pathology
- Reader in Dental Statistics, University Dental Hospital of Manchester
Correspondence to: S J Davies1
University Dental Hospital of Manchester, Higher Cambridge Street, Manchester M15 6FH
e-mail: stephen.j.davies@man.ac.uk