Factors Affecting the Decision-Making of Direct Pulp Capping Procedures Amongst Turkish Dental Practitioners

OBJECTIVE: To examine the factors affecting the decision-making of direct pulp capping procedures amongst Turkish dental practitioners. METHODS: A total of 378 Turkish dentists participated in the survey. The questionnaire comprised three sections. The first part comprised questions regarding demographic features. The second part comprised; questions on how treatment plans change according to factors such as pulp perforation position, number, size, how it occurred, and patient age. The third part composed of questions on the common materials and techniques used in pulp capping treatment. Descriptive statistics was calculated using Pearson’s χ(2) test, and the risk assessments of factors affecting the choice of pulp capping decision were computed using logistic regression analysis. RESULTS: 85.18% of participants preferred the pulp capping treatment. When the perforation size was >1 mm, males and university dentists decided more pulp capping treatments than females and private dentists respectively did (P<0.05). While the perforation size factor changed the dentists’ decision most (OR=6.85), the patient’s age factor least altered the choice (OR=1.38). Gender did not affect the decision of technique and material (P>0.05), but workplace and experience affected the choice of material (P<0.05). Technique did not affect the decision (P>0.05). CONCLUSION: Turkish dentists prefer invasive treatments when risk factors in pulp capping treatment increase. The possible cause may be to reduce the rate of unsuccessful treatment; thus, ensure the continuity of patient confidence.