The transition from amalgam to other restorative materials in the U.S. predoctoral pediatric dentistry clinics
Date
2019-03-24
Authors
Kateeb, Elham T.
Warren, John J.
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
Wiley Online Library
Abstract
Increased concerns about the safety of amalgam restorations in children have
resulted in many dental schools emphasizing the teaching of alternative dental materials.
This study investigated the current teaching of different dental materials for use
in posterior teeth in the United States predoctoral pediatric dentistry programs. In
2011, the authors invited the chairs of the predoctoral pediatric dentistry departments
in all accredited dental schools at that time (N = 57) to participate in an
internet‐based survey. Descriptive statistics were calculated to describe the frequency
of using different restorative materials. Regression models were developed
to explore the factors related to the use of dental restorations in predoctoral pediatric
clinics. Among the 44 dental schools that responded (77% response rate), 74% used
amalgam, and 93% used composite in primary posterior teeth. Glass ionomer was
used by 61% of the schools in primary posterior teeth. Placing amalgam in primary
posterior teeth was associated with programs that treated more 3–5‐year‐old
patients (β = .302, p < .043), whereas the use of glass ionomer was associated with
having students serving at off‐site satellite dental clinics (β = .015, p < .012). In general,
having departments with chairs who had positive attitudes towards Minimal
Invasive Dentistry (MID) used composite (β = .091, p < .0001) and glass ionomer
(β = 103, p < .0001) more frequently and were less likely to use amalgam
(β = −.077, p < .005) in primary posterior teeth. Although teaching MID concepts in
predoctoral pediatric clinics in dental schools is increasing, the use of amalgam in posterior
primary and permanent teeth is still widely practiced.
Description
Keywords
composite resins , dental amalgam , dental schools , pediatric dentistry
Citation
Kateeb ET, Warren JJ. The transition from amalgam to other restorative materials in the U.S. predoctoral pediatric dentistry clinics. Clin Exp Dent Res. 2019;5: 413–419. https://doi.org/10.1002/cre2.196