Vital pulpotomy in the primary dentition: attitudes and practices of Specialists in paediatric dentistry practising in the United Kingdom

Summary.Objectives.This study was designed to examine the attitudes and practices of Specialists in Paediatric Dentistry practising in the United Kingdom in relation to vital pulpotomy in the primary dentition.Design.Data were collected by postal questionnaire.Sample and methods.All dentists whose names were entered on the General Dental Council's Specialist List in Paediatric Dentistry, and who were resident and practising in the United Kingdom, were asked to complete a questionnaire consisting of nine questions.Results.Questionnaires were returned by 184 (86·8%) of the eligible Specialists in Paediatric Dentistry. These yielded a sample group of 179 Specialists practising the primary vital pulpotomy technique. The most commonly used medicament was formocresol, with a 1 : 5 dilution being used by 66·5% of the sample. More than half (54·2%) of the Specialists practising the technique expressed concern regarding their preferred medicament. Without exception, their concerns related to the potential adverse effects of formocresol and formaldehyde. Seventy‐five respondents (41·9% of the sample) were considering changing their technique. One hundred and thirty‐seven Specialists stated t