Color discrimination of dental professionals and color deficient laypersons

Objectives: The aim of the present study was to compare results of non-dental (conventional) and dental color discrimination tests (customized, shade guide test), to evaluate influence of profession, gender and age of color normal dentists and laboratory technicians on color discrimination results and to evaluate results of color deficient laypersons. Methods: A total of 36 color normal dental professionals, all volunteers were divided into two groups consisting of 18 participants each: dentists (DDS) and laboratory technicians (CDT). In addition, a group 15 color deficient males also volunteered (CDP). Color discrimination was examined using Farnsworth-Munsell 100 Hue Test and total error scores (TES) were calculated. Participants performed a dentistry related color discrimination test by matching 26 pairs of shade tabs. Shade guide scores (3DS) were calculated. These tests were performed under the controlled conditions of a viewing booth. Mean values and standard deviations were determined. ANOVA, Mann-Whitney test, t-test and Pearson's correlation coefficient (r) were used for result analysis. Results: TES and 3DS were correlated for color normal observers, r = 0.47 (p < 0.01). No statistically significant differences in TES and 3DS by profession, gender and age were recorded. TES of 159 (83) and 3DS of 6.7 (2.7) were recorded for color deficient laypersons. Based on TES, 33% of color deficient laypersons had average discrimination, whilst 67% had low discrimination. Conclusions: Within the limitation of this study, it was concluded that results of non-dental and dental color discrimination tests were correlated, and that profession (DDS/CDT), gender and age gender did not influence color discrimination of color normal participants. Clinical significance: Although color and appearance of dental restorations are of paramount importance for the aesthetic outcome, color vision of dental professionals is not routinely tested. This paper validates and recommends the usage of dental shade guides for a simple, affordable and understandable testing of color vision, either as a sole test or complementing conventional (professional) tests. (C) 2011 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.