Comparison of the Management of Carious Primary Molars by a Sample of Undergraduate Students from Three European Countries.

Abstract

Introduction: Primary molars play a key role in maintaining space and guiding the eruption of permanent teeth. The course of treatment for these teeth may differ from one country to another, even if the recommendations are the same. The goal of this study was to evaluate the selected clinical practices for primary molar treatment by students from different European countries and compare them to international recommendations. Materials and methods: An observational, multicenter, cross-sectional study was designed using a self-administered online survey that was sent to 69 European dental schools. Among those schools, 10 agreed to distribute the survey. The survey consisted of 22 questions regarding the treatment of primary molars-from anesthesia to prescription-and was divided into four main items: anesthesia, pulp treatment, coronal restoration, and prescriptions. Results: A multitude of materials and medications are available to treat primary molars. For most therapies, students responded in accordance with the American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry (AAPD) recommendations. However, there was a statistically significant link between nationality and chosen therapy regarding all items (anesthesia, pulp treatment, coronal restoration, and prescription). Conclusion: Even with differences in clinical practice, the education provided in the studied countries enabled students to practice evidence-based dentistry and follow international recommendations.

How to cite this article: Boeffard C, Davit-Beal T, Doublier A, et al. Comparison of the Management of Carious Primary Molars by a Sample of Undergraduate Students from Three European Countries. Int J Clin Pediatr Dent 2025;18(6):647-652.