Objectives: The aim of the present study was to test the influence of drying and cleaning on the DIAGNOdent (DD) (KaVo, Biberach, Germany) readings under a daily practice setting. Methods: Three practising dentists carried out the measurements on 70 patients (age of 18 ± 9 yrs.) with 117 occlusal surfaces. The patients were selected by the dentists, the procedure explained and consent was reached. The sequence of fluorescence measurements on each occlusal surface was as follows: 1) moist, uncleaned surface; 2) dried, uncleaned surface; 3) moist, cleaned surface; 4) dried, cleaned surface. Results: Repeated measures analysis showed a significant impact of the surface status on DIAGNOdent values (p < 0.01). The optimal cut-off points were up to 5 DD readings lower when the surface was moist and uncleaned compared to the other states. Drying on uncleaned surfaces had a statistically significant influence on the fluorescence readings for dentinal caries (p < 0.01). Conclusion: It was concluded that for the purpose of exact longitudinal monitoring with DD the surface should be clean and dry. This allows also correct visual inspection, which should precede DD measurements. Specificity and sensitivity are not much influenced as long as the surfaces are clean or dry.

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