The teaching of management of the pulp in primary molars in Europe: a preliminary investigation in Ireland and the UK.
OBJECTIVE
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.
Ni Chaollai
A
A
Department of Paediatric Dentistry, Leeds Dental Institute, Leeds, LS2 9LU, England. aifric1@ireland.com
Monteiro
J
J
Duggal
M S
MS
D003785:Dental Pulp Capping / Q000379:methods; D004363:Drug Utilization; D004708:Endodontics / Q000193:education*; D005060:Europe; D005290:Ferric Compounds; D005566:Formocresols; D006801:Humans; D007494:Ireland; D010377:Pediatric Dentistry / Q000193:education*; D010865:Pilot Projects; D011670:Pulpectomy / Q000379:methods; D011672:Pulpotomy / Q000379:methods; D012387:Root Canal Filling Materials; D012575:Schools, Dental; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D014094:Tooth, Deciduous; D006113:United Kingdom
D005290:Ferric Compounds; D005566:Formocresols; D012387:Root Canal Filling Materials; C031025:formocresol; C024823:ferric sulfate