Dentist Attitude, Knowledge and Practices Towards Pulpotomy Procedure of Primary Teeth in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia

OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study was to investigate the attitudes, knowledge and practices of General Dental Practitioners (GDPs`) and Pediatric Dentists (PD) towards pulpotomy procedure of primary teeth in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. MATERIAL AND METHODS: General Dental Practitioners and Pediatric Dentists from different areas of Riyadh were requested to complete specially designed questionnaire on demographic information and current procedure practiced in the treatment of pulpotomy of primary teeth. RESULTS: A total of 124 questionnaires were distributed and only 105 (85%) were returned. It was found that 71.4% of respondents were general dental practitioners and 28.6% were pediatric dentists. There were differences in the treatment practices of the general dental practitioners and pediatric dentists. The most commonly used medicament for pulpotomy treatment was formocresol (92.4%) with a 1:5 dilution being used by 83% of the sample. More than half (55.2%) of the sample restore primary teeth with stainless steel crowns after pulpotomy treatment. CONCLUSION: The results of this study confirm that some general dental practitioners do not follow quality guidelines for pulpotomy procedure. However, significant numbers of pediatric dentists adhere to the guidelines for pulp treatment of the primary teeth.King Saud Universit