The teaching of management of the pulp in primary molars across Europe.

AIM: To determine which methods of primary pulp therapy are currently being taught in European dental schools. METHODS: An online survey tool was employed to send questionnaires to paediatric dentistry departments of 202 European dental schools. Email addresses were obtained from the European Academy of Paediatric Dentistry and questionnaires were sent to one member of each department in December 2014. The survey included questions on treatment choices and clinical scenarios where respondents indicated how they would advise students to proceed, given a particular case. RESULTS: Fifty-one responses from 22 different countries were obtained. Eleven schools reported that they taught only undergraduate students, 4 only postgraduates and 36 taught both. Forty-three schools taught indirect pulp capping, the most popular material being calcium hydroxide; 26 taught direct pulp capping, mostly using mineral trioxide aggregate (MTA). Teaching of pulpotomy was widespread across Europe, with MTA being the most popular material, taught in 37 schools, followed by ferric sulphate, in 29. Formocresol, however, was still being taught in 12 dental schools. Responses to the clinical scenarios were mostly in accordance with previously selected choices. CONCLUSIONS: This study had a representative sample, showing a wide variation in primary pulp therapies taught in Europe. Comparison with previous studies shows new trends in taught therapies, possibly driven by recent research in primary pulp management and the development of new materials.

What do we really know about UK paediatric dental general anaesthesia services?

Dental general anaesthesia (DGA) is only permitted within a hospital setting where critical care facilities are available. Recently, concern has been expressed about the number of hospital admissions for the dental care of children following the publication of a high profile paper which highlighted an apparent increase in children being admitted for extractions due to caries under DGA. Coincidentally new best practice standards for paediatric DGA services have been published. An evaluation of DGA services in Yorkshire and the Humber suggested that existing monitoring was inadequate and is unlikely to represent true levels of activity and that any apparent increase may reflect the method of remuneration for services. In fact, recent changes in service structure and changes to improve quality have reduced DGA activity in some areas. In addition, the evaluation revealed that many services were not meeting standards of best practice.

An evaluation of paediatric dental general anaesthesia in Yorkshire and the Humber.

BACKGROUND: Following major change in UK policy regarding dental general anaesthesia (DGA) in 2001, there appears to be little information available about paediatric DGA services, their organisation, availability and utilisation. AIMS: To establish the location, organisation and monitoring systems of paediatric DGA services in Yorkshire and the Humber Strategic Health Authority and to audit these services against existing standards of best practice. DESIGN: A postal survey of all potential paediatric DGA providers in Yorkshire and the Humber. RESULTS: Thirty-one possible DGA service providers were identified, 24 of which provided paediatric DGAs. Of 84 DGA lists identified, 75 regularly treated children, and nine were run on an ad hoc basis. The lists were held in 20 centres. The number of patients treated per list varied depending on treatment provided, ranging from 3.9 to 7.5 patients per list. Maximum waiting times varied from three to 84 weeks. Outcome data recording methods varied. Just over half of respondents used the Hospital Episode Statistics system; the remainder used other systems, or none. CONCLUSIONS: There was much variation in how DGA lists were organised. Most lists met some of the accepted standards, but very few met all. Waiting times were largely in accordance with national targets.

The teaching of management of the pulp in primary molars in Europe: a preliminary investigation in Ireland and the UK.

AIM: This was to determine which methods of primary pulp therapy are currently being taught in European dental schools starting with a preliminary study in the UK and Ireland. METHODS: A questionnaire, based on that used in a USA study, was sent to paediatric dentistry staff at each of 18 dental schools in Ireland and the UK. RESULTS: There was a response rate of 87%. All respondents taught the vital pulpotomy technique in primary molars but no uniformity was found regarding pulpectomy, indirect and direct pulp capping techniques. Most respondents, 92.9%, taught the use of ferric sulphate for vital pulpotomy. Formocresol, mineral trioxide aggregate and calcium hydroxide accounted for the remainder, with some respondents electing to teach different medicaments depending on whether the students were at undergraduate or postgraduate level. CONCLUSIONS: Formocresol is no longer the most commonly taught pulp medicament in dental schools in Ireland and the UK.