Community dental officers’ use and knowledge of restorative techniques for primary molars: an audit of two Trusts in Wales

Abstract

This study offers important baseline data about the acceptability of differing restorative techniques and about the type of intervention that could bring about change in pattern of use by community dental officers in two large Trusts in Wales. If a postgraduate course in the use of stainless steel crowns is to meet dental officers' needs, it should address their concerns about the use of crowns.

Use of stainless steel crowns to restore primary molars in Germany: Questionnaire‐based cross‐sectional analysis

“…On the other hand, it has been suggested that dentists' reluctance to use SSCs as part of their regular treatment may be linked to factors such as low financial remuneration or perceived difficulties in placing SSCs. 5,13,24 In line with these findings, 18% of stated limitations to use SSCs in our study were related to the limited financial reimbursement by the payment system.…”

How primary care dentists perceive and are influenced by research

“…Many primary care clinicians view undergraduate training (4) and guidelines (5) as unrealistic for implementation in primary dental care. Instead it would appear that their clinical practice is modified in light of patients’ views (6), cost‐effectiveness, aesthetic acceptability, level of cooperation of patients (5), and the needs and demography of the local population (4) rather than evidence of clinical effectiveness (7). Lack of training has been cited as reasons for failure to comply with guidelines (5), but training has not necessarily led to increased implementation of evidence‐based techniques (7).…”

UK National Clinical Guidelines in Paediatric Dentistry: stainless steel preformed crowns for primary molars

“…Given the longevity of SSCs 18 , a primary molar treated in this way is unlikely to need any further treatment until it exfoliates naturally. It has been suggested that postgraduate training packages, and in particular hands‐on training courses, may be the most effective way to encourage dental practitioners to re‐evaluate the restorative techniques they undertake and may increase the use of SSCs for the restoration of primary molar teeth 21 .…”