Evaluation of pediatric dentists' approaches to applying anesthesia methods in pulpal procedures performed on primary molars

Aim: The aim of the study is to learn the local anesthesia techniques used by pediatric dentists to relieve pain during dental procedures and to evaluate their level of knowledge about these techniques. Material and Method: Survey questions were created in accordance with the dentistry education in our country, the terminology used and the current treatment approach. Survey questions were prepared under 2 main headings. The questions in the first section included questions regarding the demographic characteristics of the participants.The last section consisted of questions regarding the selection of the local anesthesia technique to be used in amputation and root canal treatment of pulp-related caries of the 1st and 2nd primary molars of the lower jaw. There were 8 different scenarios in this section. In the scenarios, pediatric dentists were asked to choose the first local anesthesia technique to be applied in separate amputations and root canal treatments for the 1st and 2nd primary molars of 4 and 7-year-old children, and to choose their second local anesthesia preference in case of failure of anesthesia. Results: Buccal infiltrative anaesthesia was applied in the 1st primary molar with the highest rate of 53.34% for 4 years of age, while mandibular anaesthesia was applied with a rate of 60.1% for 7 years of age. In the 2nd primary molar, mandibular anaesthesia was performed at the highest rate for 4 and 7 years of age. Buccal infiltrative anaesthesia was applied in the 1st primary molar with the highest rate of 62.8% for 4 years of age, while mandibular anaesthesia was applied with the highest rate of 56.3% for 7 years of age. In the 2nd primary molar, buccal infiltrative anaesthesia was applied in 37.6% for 4 years old and mandibular anaesthesia was applied in 70.7% for 7 years old. Conclusion: It has been observed that it is beneficial to create programs for anesthesia techniques during postgraduate education training for pediatric dentists. Factors such as the age of the dentist, years of professional experience and the institutions are effective in the selection of anesthesia technique.