Decisions about the diagnostic and treatment criteria of dental caries among a group of dental students, faculty staff and dentists within the city of Medellin, Colombia.

Objective: To analyze the criteria for diagnosis and treatment decision-making in relation to dental caries different participants (teachers of dentistry, students at schools, dentists practicing public oral health services) city Medellin (Colombia). Material Methods: A cross-sectional study was applied period September 2015-december 2016 by means an international validated questionnaire 340 (dental teachers: 69, students: 193, dentists: 78). The survey addressed several topics related detection restorative threshold, preferences preparation type, materials used opinions about caries. descriptive analysis carried out Chi square tests were observe statistically significant differences between variables. Results: surveyed among teachers who teach cariology, care dentists, undergraduate final-year students. Most women (70%). age mean higher DDSs (46 ± 9 years). On average, had a work experience 21 years. In case decisions, majority would use immediate operative advanced carious lesions (inner one-third dentin approximal grade 5 occlusal). addition, respondents reported cavities clinical occlusal cases some found decisions type according participant. Conclusion: Criteria differed student, dentist with variety concepts. However, conservative tendency observed. Strategies incorporating non-restorative minimal measures professional practice should be considered curricula universities.