The Teaching of Management of the Pulp in Primary Molars in Europe: A Preliminary Investigation in Ireland and the UK (Report‪)‬

Introduction Almost 40% of 5-year old children have evidence of dentinal caries [Pitts et al., 2007] with 8% of 3.5-4.5 year old children in the UK and 17% in Scotland having pulpal involvement [Hinds and Gregor, 1995]. Dentists are therefore frequently faced with the challenge of restoring primary teeth with pulpal involvement in very young children. Restoration rather than extraction of primary molars has many benefits, including avoidance of pain and infection, maintenance of arch integrity, space preservation to avoid or minimise dental crowding in the future, optimal function as well as the psychological benefit to the child. Tooth restoration also impresses upon children and parents that although the primary teeth are eventually shed, they do serve a function [Duggal, 2006].