Inter- and intra-operator reliability of the recording of occlusal contacts using 'occlusal sketch' acetate technique

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 - 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.