A group of general dental practitioners' views of preformed metal crowns after participation in the Hall technique clinical trial: a mixed-method evaluation.

Aims: The aims of this study were to investigate and describe the views of a group of general dental practitioners (GDPs) on their use of preformed metal crowns (PMCs) with the conventional method and the Hall Technique. The practitioners involved had previously taken part in a clinical trial of the Hall Technique.

Methods: The dentists' views were explored using a semi-structured interview (transcribed and analysed using a framework approach) and their use of crowns investigated (for conventional and Hall Technique) using a short questionnaire.

Results: Fourteen out of 17 dentists who participated in the trial were interviewed and completed the questionnaire. Prior to the trial, only three of the GDPs had been using conventional PMCs at all and this was 'infrequently'. None had been using them routinely. The semi-structured questionnaires revealed three main themes reflecting positively on the GDPs' experiences with the Hall Technique: its ease of use, its high patient acceptability, and the dentists' perceived clinical effectiveness of the technique. Thirteen of the 14 GDPs stated that they would continue to use the Hall Technique routinely and only one thought that he would not use it.

Conclusion: Among a small group of GDPs with little experience or training in the use of the Hall Technique, it was perceived to be easy to use routinely, acceptable to patients and effective.