title: Management of pulps exposed during carious tissue removal in adults: a multi-national questionnaire-based survey.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The aim of the present study was to investigate and compare the management of pulps exposed during carious tissue removal by French, German, and Norwegian general dental practitioners (GDPs). We further aimed to assess possible dentist- and patient-related factors associated with these management decisions.
  
  
  METHODS
  A structured questionnaire was send via mail to a simple random sample of dentists.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The analyzed sample consisted of 661 (33%) French GDPs, 622 (25%) German GDPs, and 199 (34%) Norwegian GDPs. No single management method gained uniform consensus in any of the three countries. However, the most preferred management option in all three countries was direct pulp capping (DPC) (68-93%) mainly performed with calcium hydroxide paste/slurry (CH). Alternatively, root canal treatment was performed (7-22%). The reasons that guided GDPs were the same in all three countries; "good results" and "ease of use, familiar with the technique." Having read scientific articles about cariology/operative dentistry in the last 5 years increased the odds for the preference of DPC instead of root canal treatment (OR = 2.1, 95% CI 1.3-3.2).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Among GDPs in France, Germany, and Norway, there was no uniform management option for pulp exposures during carious tissue removal. DPC with CH was the most preferred management, even though the current evidence suggests DPC with mineral trioxide aggregate (MTA) to be more successful. The outcome expectations and the assumed ease of use were reasons for GDPs' choice. Moreover, knowledge on current evidence towards such management options influenced treatment decisions.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  GDPs are encouraged to adopt management options based on current scientific evidence.
authors.affiliation: Faculty of Health Sciences, Department of Clinical Dentistry, UiT The Arctic University of Norway, Postboks 6050 Langnes, 9037, Tromsø, Norway.
authors.forename: Lina
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Stangvaltaite
authors.affiliation: Department of Operative and Preventive Dentistry, Charite - Universitatsmedizin Berlin, Campus Benjamin Franklin, Aßmannshauser Str. 4-6, 14197, Berlin, Germany.
authors.forename: Falk
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Schwendicke
authors.affiliation: Aide Odontologique Internationale, 1 Rue Maurice Arnoux, 92120, Montrouge, France.
authors.forename: Christopher
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Holmgren
authors.affiliation: CHU Clermont-Ferrand, Service d'Odontologie, Hôtel-Dieu, F-63001, Clermont-Ferrand, France.
authors.forename: Marion
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Finet
authors.affiliation: Univ Clermont1 UFR d'Odontologie, Centre de Recherche en Odontologie Clinique, EA 4847, F-63000, Clermont-Ferrand, France.
authors.forename: Marisa
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Maltz
authors.affiliation: Department of Operative and Preventive Dentistry, Charite - Universitatsmedizin Berlin, Campus Benjamin Franklin, Aßmannshauser Str. 4-6, 14197, Berlin, Germany.
authors.forename: Karim
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Elhennawy
authors.affiliation: Faculty of Health Sciences, Department of Clinical Dentistry, UiT The Arctic University of Norway, Postboks 6050 Langnes, 9037, Tromsø, Norway.
authors.forename: Eero
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Kerosuo
authors.affiliation: CHU Clermont-Ferrand, Service d'Odontologie, Hôtel-Dieu, F-63001, Clermont-Ferrand, France. sophie.domejean@udamail.fr.
authors.forename: Sophie
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Doméjean
mesh_terms: D002126:Calcium Hydroxide / Q000627:therapeutic use; D003731:Dental Caries / Q000628:therapy*; D003785:Dental Pulp Capping; D003789:Dental Pulp Exposure / Q000209:etiology* / Q000628:therapy*; D005260:Female; D005602:France; D005858:Germany; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D009664:Norway; D019239:Practice Patterns, Dentists' / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D057872:Pulp Capping and Pulpectomy Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D011672:Pulpotomy; D012390:Root Canal Therapy; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires
chemical_list: D057872:Pulp Capping and Pulpectomy Agents; D002126:Calcium Hydroxide
keywords: Deep carious lesion; Dental pulp exposure; Direct pulp capping; Partial pulpotomy; Pulpectomy