Précis
The study examined the use of two diagnostic devices on dental practitioners’ identification and treatment of SOCLs. A total of  90 practitioners throughout the nation collected and recorded descriptive and treatment information for 40 SOCLs (one lesion/patient), 20 during the pre-intervention period and 20 during the intervention period. Practitioners were randomized into one of three arms:  no diagnostic device, DIAGNOdent, and Spectra. They also completedf diagnostic vignettes at the beginning and end of each study, as well as a post-study questionnaire.

Objectives
The primary objective of the study was to quantify the difference in proportion of SOCLs treated operatively when a diagnostic device was used compared to when one was not used, and to quantify the difference in proportion of SOCLs treated operatively that extended into dentin when a diagnostic device is used compared to when one was not used.

The secondary objectives of the study were to:

• Identify the clinical characteristics of SOCLs that best predict caries that extend into dentin;
• Determine whether the principal factors used by participating practitioners in managing SOCLs change when a caries detecting device is employed; and
• Obtain practitioners’ assessments of the utility of the devices in their practices.