Performance evaluation of different observers in the interpretation of panoramic radiographs by the mandibular cortical index

OBJECTIVE: Mandibular Cortical Index (MCI) is useful in osteoporosis screening. This study aim was to verify the impact of different expertise levels in the observers’ performances of MCI evaluation in panoramic radiographs (PR). METHODS: Six participants were recruited: one Oral Radiology professor with previous experience (#1), one master’s degree student and radiologist with previous experience (#2), one PhD student and non-radiologist with previous experience (#3), one PhD student and radiologist with no prior experience (#4) and two master’s degree students with no prior experience (#5 and #6). Observers were trained to use the MCI before analyzing 150 PRs of patients with dual energy X-ray absorptiometry (DXA) examination. RESULTS: The Spearman’s Correlation test showed inverse and weak to moderate correlation between MCI and T-scores, and it varied was according to the observe that performed the evaluation. Observers #2 and #3 (with previous MCI experience) showed the highest agreement with the professor, followed by students #4, #5 and #6. CONCLUSION: Students’ expertise using the MCI increased the agreement with the professor regardless of whether the student was an oral radiology specialist; the MCI was correlated with the DXA in all the observer’s evaluations, which indicates that previous training for the MCI can enable any dentist to apply it in osteoporosis screening.