Use of the Hall Technique by dentists in East China: A questionnaire-based cross-sectional survey.

BACKGROUND

The Hall Technique (HT) is now regarded as one of the biological management options for carious primary molars and has shown significant clinical success.

AIM: To investigate the perception and the use of the HT among dentists engaging in paediatric dentistry in East China.

DESIGN

This was an electronic questionnaire-based cross-sectional study. A quick response code of the questionnaire via WeChat, a common communication tool in China, was sent to dentists in East China.

RESULTS

A total of 313 dentists participated in this study. Most surveyed clinicians had heard about the HT (n = 286, 91.4%). Of them, 40.2% (n = 115) reported having used the HT. Of 67 dentists working in private clinics, 34 (50.7%) had used the HT, whereas only 37% of dentists from public hospitals had used the HT. Of 115 dentists having used the HT, 91.3% (n = 105) would consider using the HT for Class II cavitated molars; 23.5% (n = 27) would consider using the HT for Class I cavitated molars. Most dentists who had not used the HT were concerned about complications such as pulp inflammation or necrosis after applying the HT.

CONCLUSION

The HT is well known in East China; the lack of systematic training or courses, however, may decrease its utilization.