Dentists' decisions for deep carious lesions management in primary teeth

Background Questionnaire surveys have been undertaken worldwide to investigate practices and knowledge related to deep carious lesion (DCL) management in permanent teeth, and there is a lack of data in primary teeth. Aim A cross-sectional questionnaire survey was undertaken to describe the management strategies for DCL of vital primary teeth, focusing on the different caries removal techniques, among dentists practicing pediatric dentistry (DPPDs) in France. Their behavior was compared to members one registered to European Academy of Pediatric Dentistry (EAPD). Design A questionnaire was electronically administrated (2018-2019) to members of the College des Enseignants en Odontologie Pediatrique (CEOP), the Societe Francaise d'Odontologie Pediatrique (SFOP), and the EADP. Descriptive and statistical analyses were performed. Results Response rate was, respectively, for CEOP, SFOP, and EAPD about 74%, 29%, and 15%. About half of the respondents (53%) would perform a complete caries removal into one step when 12% would indicate a stepwise technique: 68% of the DPPDs practicing in France would perform complete caries removal in one step when the preferred option in the other EAPD members was the selective excavation (44%) (P < .001). Conclusions Complementary education of French dentists in the domain of caries management appears necessary regarding current recommendations.