M L Hunter1, B Hunter. 1. Dental Health and Biological Sciences, University of Wales College of Medicine Dental School, Cardiff, UK. hunterml@cardiff.ac.uk
Abstract
OBJECTIVES: This study was designed to examine the attitudes and practices of Specialists in Paediatric Dentistry practising in the United Kingdom in relation to vital pulpotomy in the primary dentition. DESIGN: Data were collected by postal questionnaire. SAMPLE AND METHODS: All dentists whose names were entered on the General Dental Council's Specialist List in Paediatric Dentistry, and who were resident and practising in the United Kingdom, were asked to complete a questionnaire consisting of nine questions. RESULTS: Questionnaires were returned by 184 (86.8%) of the eligible Specialists in Paediatric Dentistry. These yielded a sample group of 179 Specialists practising the primary vital pulpotomy technique. The most commonly used medicament was formocresol, with a 1 : 5 dilution being used by 66.5% of the sample. More than half (54.2%) of the Specialists practising the technique expressed concern regarding their preferred medicament. Without exception, their concerns related to the potential adverse effects of formocresol and formaldehyde. Seventy-five respondents (41.9% of the sample) were considering changing their technique. One hundred and thirty-seven Specialists stated that they routinely took preoperative radiographs, while postoperative radiographs were routinely taken by 107 Specialists (76.5% and 59.8% of the sample, respectively). Rubber dam isolation was used by 62.6% of the sample. CONCLUSIONS: The majority of Specialists are adhering to the UK national clinical guideline for pulp treatment of the primary dentition. However, significant numbers are considering changing their chosen technique. There is a lack of consensus on the use of pre- and postoperative radiographs; specific guidance with respect to their use is required.
OBJECTIVES: This study was designed to examine the attitudes and practices of Specialists in Paediatric Dentistry practising in the United Kingdom in relation to vital pulpotomy in the primary dentition. DESIGN: Data were collected by postal questionnaire. SAMPLE AND METHODS: All dentists whose names were entered on the General Dental Council's Specialist List in Paediatric Dentistry, and who were resident and practising in the United Kingdom, were asked to complete a questionnaire consisting of nine questions. RESULTS: Questionnaires were returned by 184 (86.8%) of the eligible Specialists in Paediatric Dentistry. These yielded a sample group of 179 Specialists practising the primary vital pulpotomy technique. The most commonly used medicament was formocresol, with a 1 : 5 dilution being used by 66.5% of the sample. More than half (54.2%) of the Specialists practising the technique expressed concern regarding their preferred medicament. Without exception, their concerns related to the potential adverse effects of formocresol and formaldehyde. Seventy-five respondents (41.9% of the sample) were considering changing their technique. One hundred and thirty-seven Specialists stated that they routinely took preoperative radiographs, while postoperative radiographs were routinely taken by 107 Specialists (76.5% and 59.8% of the sample, respectively). Rubber dam isolation was used by 62.6% of the sample. CONCLUSIONS: The majority of Specialists are adhering to the UK national clinical guideline for pulp treatment of the primary dentition. However, significant numbers are considering changing their chosen technique. There is a lack of consensus on the use of pre- and postoperative radiographs; specific guidance with respect to their use is required.