DETERMINANTS OF DELAYED DENTAL CARIES TREATMENT IN CONSERVATIVE DENTISTRY

Abstrak

Dental caries is a frequent concern in conservative dentistry because untreated lesions can progress from early enamel or dentin involvement to pulpal disease and extensive tooth structure loss. In many adult patients, dental care is postponed until pain, visible cavitation, or functional discomfort appears, limiting the opportunity for minimally invasive treatment. This review aims to analyze the determinants of delayed dental caries treatment in conservative dentistry. A literature review was conducted using peer-reviewed journal articles published between 2017 and 2026 from PubMed, ScienceDirect, Google Scholar, Garuda, BMC Oral Health, MDPI, PLOS ONE, and other open-access databases. The reviewed literature focused on dental caries, delayed treatment, oral health literacy, dental anxiety, perceived need for care, socioeconomic barriers, and access to dental services. The findings indicate that delayed treatment is commonly associated with limited understanding of caries progression, fear of dental procedures, low perceived urgency, treatment costs, and barriers to dental service utilization. These determinants may increase the risk of advanced carious lesions and reduce the effectiveness of conservative dental management. Early diagnosis, patient-centered education, and better access to conservative dental care are needed to support timely treatment and preserve natural tooth structure.