Health professionals' recommendations on the use of fluoride varnish for caries prevention in preschool children.

BACKGROUND: Fluoride varnish (FV) is widely recommended for caries prevention in preschool children, despite its anticaries benefits being uncertain and modest. Dentists often report using clinical practice guidelines (CPGs) as a source of scientific information. AIM: To identify and analyze recommendations for clinical practice on the use of FV for caries prevention in preschool children and to assess the methodological quality of the CPG on this topic. DESIGN: Two researchers independently used 12 search strategies and searched the first five pages of Google Search™ and three guideline databases for recommendations freely available to health professionals on the use of FV for caries prevention in preschoolers. Then, they retrieved and recorded recommendations that met the eligibility criteria and extracted the data. A third researcher resolved disagreements. Each included CPG was appraised using the AGREE II instrument. RESULTS: Twenty-nine documents were included. Recommendations varied according to age, patients' caries risk, and application frequency. Of the six CPGs, only one scored above 70% in the AGREE II overall assessment. CONCLUSION: Recommendations on the use of FV lacked scientific evidence, and CPGs were of poor quality. Application of FV is widely recommended despite recent evidence showing an uncertain, modest, and possibly not clinically relevant anticaries benefit. Dentists should be aware that it is necessary to critically appraise CPGs since they may be of poor quality.

Recommendations from paediatric dentistry associations of the Americas on breastfeeding and sugar consumption and oral hygiene in infants for the prevention of dental caries: A bibliometric review.

BACKGROUND: The Internet provides a plethora of information on health issues related to children's oral health. AIM: Identify online recommendations of paediatric dentistry associations of the Americas (PDAAs) regarding breastfeeding practices, weaning, sugar introduction and initiating oral hygiene. DESIGN: Websites of PDAAs were accessed to record recommendations/questions (Q) relevant to early childhood that specifically covered issues about exclusive breastfeeding-Q1, indications of bottle feeding-Q2, when and how to start weaning-Q3 and Q4, respectively, association of breast milk and dental caries-Q5, when to start oral hygiene and how to introduce it-Q6 and Q7, respectively, and guidance on the introduction of sugar-Q8. Similarity/dissimilarity frequencies between the associations (Euclidean distances) were calculated. RESULTS: From 35 countries on the two American continents, 21 associations were affiliated with the International Association of Paediatric Dentistry and/or the Latin American Pediatric Dentistry Association, whereas eight did not have websites. Higher (P < .05) dissimilarities for Q6 (68.2%), Q7 (72.7%), and Q8 (62.1%) were observed. Results were similar for Q1 and Q5 (P > .05). No association mentioned Q2, Q3 or Q4 responses, whereas Q7 was the most frequently discussed issue. CONCLUSION: Not all of the investigated issues are mentioned on websites of PDAAs, potentially stymieing efforts by both the layperson and health professional to gather information.

Aesthetic perception, acceptability and satisfaction in the treatment of caries lesions with silver diamine fluoride: A scoping review.

BACKGROUND: Silver diamine fluoride (SDF) causes dental black staining after its application. AIM: Evaluate the aesthetic perception, acceptability, and/or satisfaction of patients, parents, and professionals to the treatment of caries lesions with SDF through a scoping review. DESIGN: A search was performed in seven databases and two key journals with no language or date restrictions. Studies that evaluated the aesthetic perception, satisfaction, and/or acceptability of patients, parents, and professionals to the treatment of carious lesions with SDF were considered eligible. RESULTS: From a total of 1177 articles, 10 studies were full text assessed for eligibility, with nine included in this scoping review. In general, the studies varied by population, study design, and methodologic evaluation. The type of tooth (anterior or posterior), family income, parental schooling, ethnicity, and need for advanced behaviour control methods were factors that influenced the results. The acceptability level increased as the child required more advanced methods of behaviour guidance. In general, the pigmentation caused by SDF did not interfere with the parents' acceptability of the treatment; however, professionals believe that this could have influence. Regarding satisfaction, pigmentation did not influence parental satisfaction. CONCLUSION: Parents were satisfied with and found SDF acceptable, whereas professionals did not.

Is the Neonatal Tongue Screening Test a valid and reliable tool for detecting ankyloglossia in newborns?

BACKGROUND: Although there is a lack of strong evidence for the association between ankyloglossia in newborns and impaired breastfeeding, screening for ankyloglossia using the Neonatal Tongue Screening Test (NTST) is mandated by law in Brazilian maternities. AIM: To assess the reliability and validity of the NTST. DESIGN: cohort study; baseline sample comprised 268 mother-newborn dyads. At follow-up, 169 mothers were contacted by telephone. Interviews with the mothers for data collection were performed up to 48 h and at 1-3 months after childbirth. Trained and calibrated personnel performed the oral examinations of the newborns. Thirty newborns were examined for inter-reproducibility assessment. RESULTS: Of the 268 newborns included, 212 had a lingual frenulum that could be visually inspected and their NTST scores ranged from zero to nine (mean = 2.0, ±2.0). Interexaminer reproducibility was acceptable (Intraclass correlation coefficient = 0.77). Internal consistency of the NTST was poor (Cronbach's alpha = 0.28). Construct validity was investigated through the association between NTST scores and difficulties in breastfeeding at baseline and follow-up, and infants' weight gain at follow-up (mean age 32 ± 6.7 days). No statistically significant associations were found. CONCLUSION: NTST is neither reliable nor valid for detecting ankyloglossia that may interfere with breastfeeding in newborns.

Oral Health-Related Quality of Life in Preschool Children After Silver Diamine Fluoride Versus Atraumatic Restorative Treatments.

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the oral health-related quality of life (OHRQoL) of preschoolers before (T1), 15 days (T2), and three months (T3) after carious lesion treatments using 30 percent silver diamine fluoride (SDF, N equals 59) and atraumatic restorative treatment (ART, n equals 59). Methods: Data about sociodemographic aspects and OHRQoL through the Early Childhood Oral Health Impact Scale questionnaire (B-ECOHIS) were collected between 2016 and 2019. Total B-ECOHIS, impact on children (CIS), and family (FIS) values were used. The Mann-Whitney test compared these values, and the effect size (ES) of treatments was also calculated. Results: Toothache and upset/ guilty parents were the most reported impacts on T1. Total B-ECOHIS did not statistically vary between girls and boys or children older or younger than four years old, and socioeconomic status was not a factor either. Total B-ECOHIS, their impacts, and subscales were higher in children with high decayed, missing, and filled primary teeth (dmft) scores (P<0.05). SDF and ART did not vary among B-ECOHIS, CIS, and FIS at any time (P>0.05). Total B-ECOHIS decreased for both treatments (P<0.05). The ES was moderate for children in T2 and T3, considering all treatments, while for families the ES was moderate at T2 and small/moderate at T3 after treatment with SDF and ART, respectively. Conclusion: Treatments with 30 percent silver diamine fluoride or atraumatic restorative treatment improved the oral health-related quality of life of preschoolers, with no variation among those treated.

Relationship between Ankyloglossia and Breastfeeding: A Bibliometric Review

ABSTRACT Objective: To assess global trends in the publication of studies investigating the association between ankyloglossia and breastfeeding. Material and Methods: An electronic search was performed in the Scopus database without restrictions. Observational studies and clinical trials were included. Bibliometric indices such as publication year, authors, co-authors, journals, field of knowledge, countries, and the most cited keywords were analyzed using the VOSviewer program. Results: The search retrieved 350 studies, and 68 were selected. The first article was published in 2000 in the United States. The United States presented the highest number of publications (n=21), followed by Brazil (n=9) and the United Kingdom (n=9). An increase in publications on this theme was observed in 2013; 2021 was the year with the highest number of publications (n=14). The most common word was "frenulum". The authors with the highest number of publications were Botze and Dollbert from Israel (n=3), Ghaheri, and Mace from the United States (n=3). Among the journals, "Breastfeeding Medicine" presented the highest number of publications (n=7), followed by the "International Journal of Pediatric Otorhinolaryngology" (n=6), "CODAS" (n=5), "Journal of Human Lactation" (n=4) and "Pediatrics" (n=3); the latter published the top-cited studies, with 412 citations. Conclusion: There has been an increase in recent articles evaluating the correlation between ankyloglossia and breastfeeding, indicating the growing interest of researchers in this field.

Efficacy of 30% silver diamine fluoride compared to atraumatic restorative treatment on dentine caries arrestment in primary molars of preschool children: A 12-months parallel randomized controlled clinical trial.

OBJECTIVES: This clinical trial investigated the efficacy of silver diamine fluoride (SDF) in arresting dentine caries in primary molars of preschoolers. Time required for treatment, adverse effects, parental aesthetic perception, anxiety and oral health related to quality of life (OHRQoL) was evaluated. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Children, 2-5 years old, with active dentine caries lesions on the occlusal surface of primary molars were randomly allocated to test group (SDF) or control group (atraumatic restorative treatment/ART). The dmf-t/DMF-T and ICDAS indexes determined the presence of caries and activity. The main outcome after 3, 6 and 12-month follow-up was assessed by a blind examiner. The time required to perform the treatments was recorded and a facial image scale was applied to assess anxiety before and after treatment. Adverse events and aesthetic perception were assessed through questions addressed to caregivers; and the OHRQoL through the B-ECOHIS questionnaire. RESULTS: In 68 patients that were randomized, the mean number of treated teeth per child was 2.42(1.04) and 2.09(1.18) in the SDF and ART groups (p = 0.074), respectively. The mean difference of arrested lesions between the groups after 12 months was -0,07(0.05; - 0.17-0.30). The time required to treat with SDF was lower than the ART (p < 0.001). There was no difference in the percentage of adverse events + aesthetic perception (p = 0.709), and the change in anxiety (p = 0.155). There was a less impact in OHRQoL after ART treatment, but only when the parents' distress subscale was considered (p = 0.012). CONCLUSION: SDF requires much less chair-time and have similar results as ART in arresting caries lesion, anxiety, adverse effects, aesthetic perception and quality of life.

Clinical Findings Arising from the Use of Silver Diamine Fluoride to Prevent or Treat Caries Lesions and Dentinal Hypersensitivity: A Data Mining Analysis

Abstract Objective: To summarize data of clinical trials that used silver diamine fluoride (SDF) to prevent and treat caries lesions and dentinal hypersensitivity. Material and Methods: Six electronic databases were searched in May 2022. The concentration of SDF, type of usage (alone/combined), dentition, anterior/posterior teeth, tooth region, dental tissue, number of the treated surfaces, the intervention environment, participants' age, frequency and duration of SDF application, purpose, and outcome were the extracted variables. The type of study, year of publication, authors, journals, and country were also investigated. Results: From 8860 articles, S3 were selected. Most were randomized (n=38), that applied 38% SDF (n=43), alone (n=44), on multiple surfaces (n=44), only in dentin (n=36), of the crown (n=46) of anterior and posterior (n=36) primary teeth (n=39). The studies were preferably carried out outside the clinic (n=3l), only in children (n=33), with reapplication of SDF (n=30), but did not inform the duration of application (n= 19). SDF was most used to treat (n=46) only caries lesions (n=50). They were published between 2001 and 2022, mainly in the Journal of Dentistry (n=10). China (n=19) and Lo E.GM (n=19) were the countries and authors that published the most, respectively. Conclusion: The silver diamine fluoride 38% alone was most used to treat caries lesions in the dentin of the crown of all primary teeth, preferably applied on multiple surfaces, requiring re application, and outside the clinic.

Fatores comportamentais e socioeconômicos são fortes preditores de cárie dentária em pré- escolares: um estudo transversal / Behavioral and socioeconomic factors are strong predictors of dental caries in preschoolers: a cross-sectional study

Avaliaram-se possíveis preditores para a cárie dentária em pré-escolares sem experiência odontológica prévia, que buscaram a clínica de odontopediatria de uma universidade pública. Analisaram-se 191 prontuários, dos quais 87 foram incluídos. Coletaram-se dados demográficos, socioeconômicos, histórico de cárie da mãe, orientação prévia sobre cárie, frequência de escovação, uso de dentifrício fluoretado, consumo de doces/biscoitos e/ou líquidos açucarados, ceo-d e a presença ou ausência de defeitos de desenvolvimento do esmalte. Análises descritivas e de regressão logística binária foram realizadas para investigar quais variáveis prediziam um ceod>0. O modelo múltiplo incluiu consumo de doces/biscoitos, dados socioeconômicos, histórico de cárie na mãe e orientação prévia sobre cárie. Das crianças (2,69±1,18 anos), a maioria (67,8%) apresentava ceod>0 (3,78±3,82), sendo 50,6% meninas e 73,3% da classe baixa. A maioria (56,5%) das mães tinha 12 anos de estudos completos, histórico de cárie (78,6%) e receberam orientação prévia sobre cárie (52,9%). A maior parte (80,6%) escova os dentes pelo menos 2 vezes ao dia, utiliza dentifrício fluoretado (75,9%) e consome líquidos açucarados (90,8%), além de doces/biscoitos (86,9%) entre as refeições. Pertencer à classe baixa aumentou em 7 vezes a chance de ceod>0 (OR=7,354; IC 95%=1,951-27,723), histórico de cárie na mãe em 4 vezes (OR=4,131; IC 95%=1,042-16,369) e consumo de doces/biscoitos em quase 2 vezes (OR=1,786; IC 95%=1,072-2,976). Classe econômica baixa, histórico de cárie da mãe e consumo de doces/biscoitos entre as refeições mostraram-se fatores associados ao ceod>0 nos pacientes sem experiência prévia odontológica de uma clínica de odontopediatria de uma universidade pública.

Possible predictors of dental caries in preschool children without previous dental experience, who sought a pediatric dentistry clinic at a public university, were evaluated. Medical records (n=191) were analyzed; 87 were included. Demographic, socioeconomic data, mother's history of caries, previous orientation on caries, brushing frequency, use of fluoridated toothpaste, consumption of sweets/cookies and/or sugary liquids, dmft and the presence or absence of enamel development defects were collected. Descriptive and binary logistic regression analyzes were performed to investigate which variables predicted a dmft>0. The multiple model included consumption of sweets/cookies, socioeconomic data, mother's history of caries and previous orientation on caries. Of the children (2.69±1.18 years), most (67.8%) had dmft>0 (3.78±3.82), with 50.6% girls and 73.3% from the lower class. Most mothers had completed 12 years of schooling (56.5%), reported history of caries (78.6%) and received previous orientation on caries (52.9%). Most of children brush their teeth at least twice a day (80.6%), use fluoridated toothpaste (75.9%) and consume sugary liquids (90.8%), in addition to consumption of sweets/cookies (86 .9%) among the meals. Belonging to the lower class increased the chance of having dmft>0 by 7 times (OR=7,354; 95% CI=1,951-27,723), mother's history of caries by 4 times (OR=4,131;95% CI=1,042-16,369) and consumption of sweets/cookies by almost twice (OR=1,786;95% CI=1,072-2,976). Low economic class, mother's history of caries and consumption of sweets/cookies between meals were factors associated with dmft>0 in the patients without previous dental experience in a pediatric dentistry clinic at a public university.

Efficacy of 30% and 38% Silver Diamine Fluoride in Arresting Caries Lesions After Different Application Times: An in Vitro Study

Abstract Objective: To evaluate the efficacy of silver diamine fluoride (SDF) in arresting dentin caries lesions when applied under different concentrations and times. Material and Methods: Forty-two bovine blocks were selected and fixed in 24-well plates. Each well received a mixed bacterial inoculum added to the culture medium with 5% sucrose. The plates were incubated in microaerophilia (7 days) for caries formation, confirmed by micro-CT (M1). SDF was applied over the carious lesions for different times and concentrations (n=6): SDF 30% - immediate removal, 1 minute and 3 minutes; SDF 38%, - immediate removal, 1 minute and 3 minutes. The group without treatment was the control. Then, the samples were again scanned by micro-CT (M2) and submitted to a second cariogenic challenge for 21 days. Then, a final scan was performed (M3). Results: Mean pH at the culture medium and lesion depth were compared using Kruskal-Wallis and Wilcoxon tests. 38% SDF showed the lowest metabolic activity of the biofilm. All 38% groups and 30% 1 and 3 minutes did not show an increase in mean lesion depth comparing M3 with M1. However, only 30% 3 minutes and 38% 1 and 3 minutes showed a significant reduction of lesion depth. Conclusion: The minimum application time of 30% SDF to arrest dentin caries lesion was 1 minute, while 38% SDF arrested with application and immediate removal.

Survey of Knowledge, Attitudes and Practices of Brazilian Dentists Regarding Silver Diamine Fluoride

Abstract Objective: Current acceptability, barriers to use, and clinical/teaching practices of Silver Diamine Fluoride (SDF) among Brazilian dentists were investigated. Material and Methods: A Google forms questionnaire was sent to dentists (n=10,500) to collect information about the use of SDF and the dentists' workplace, experience, specialty, and city of practice. A logistic regression model was performed. Results: From 409 respondents, 13.2% used SDF. Working at universities increased the use of SDF by 2.29 times (p=0.018) compared to private offices. Each training year, the chance of SDF usage increased by 3% (p=0.008). Pediatric dentists are more likely to use SDF (OR=6.76, p<0.001). There is no association between SDF usage and the city of practice. The majority (75.9%) indicated SDF for noncompliant patients. Dentists (75.9%) reported the exclusive use in deciduous teeth, while 24.1% also use in permanent teeth. The main barrier for non-users was a lack of knowledge (58.3%), while for users, tooth staining (90.7%) and parental acceptance (64.8%) were the complaints. Conclusion: The Silver Diamine Fluoride is not a common product used by the dentists from RJ. Its clinical applicability should be further disseminated; thus, lack of scientific knowledge would cease to be a problem in the use of SDF to arrest caries lesions.

A systematic review of root canal filling materials for deciduous teeth: is there an alternative for zinc oxide-eugenol?

The aim of this systematic review was to determine whether there is a root canal filling for deciduous teeth equally or more effective than zinc oxide-eugenol cement (ZOE). Six clinical trials selected for inclusion were independently reviewed by two researchers. Only two showed statistically significant different success rates between the test and the control groups. One found that an iodoform paste with calcium hydroxide (IP + Ca) performed better than ZOE, and the other found that ZOE performed similarly to IP + Ca. The other four studies compared ZOE with an iodoform paste (IP), a calcium hydroxide cement (Ca(OH)(2)), or IP + Ca. In these trials, the success rates in the ZOE groups were slightly lower than in the other groups. There seems to be no convincing evidence to support the superiority of any material over ZOE, and both ZOE and IP + Ca appear to be suitable as root canal fillings for deciduous teeth.

Evidence-based pediatric dental practice within the clinician's reach: the case of the esthetic effect of topical silver diamine fluoride for caries control in primary dentition / Prática odontopediátrica baseada em evidência científica ao alcance do clínico: o caso do efeito estético do uso tópico de diaminofluoreto de prata para o controle da cárie na dentição decídua

ABSTRACT Objective: The aim of this paper was to demonstrate how a general dental practitioner tried to answer, based on scientific evidence, to the question: "Does the darkening of caries lesions caused by silver diamine fluoride treatment contribute to reducing parents' acceptance of such treatment?". Methods: The dentist adopted the following approach: formulation of a specific question; bibliographic search using controlled vocabulary and free terms; selection of full-text articles for reading; reading and critical appraisal of selected articles; summary of the available evidence; translation of the evidence into clinical practice. The dentist identified 45 studies and selected 20 to be read in full, but only three could be used; two controlled trials from China and one from Brazil. Results: Results showed that the esthetic effect was neither a major issue nor a decisive factor for the indication of the proposed treatment. However, although there is robust scientific evidence on the effectiveness of silver diamine fluoride in arresting and preventing caries lesions, there is scarce information about its esthetic effect. Thus, the lack of studies assessing the impact of the darkening of caries lesions and the esthetic effect of the treatment on the quality of life of children and their parents must be emphasized. Conclusion: The dentist concluded that there is insufficient evidence about the esthetic effect of silver diamine fluoride applications on primary teeth and opted to inform it to his/her patients' caregivers and to share with them the decision whether to use it or not in each specific case.

RESUMO Objetivo: Mostrar como um cirurgião-dentista clínico geral procurou responder, com base em evidência científica, à pergunta: "O escurecimento das lesões de cárie em dentes decíduos tratados com diaminofluoreto de prata contribui para a redução da aceitação desse tipo de tratamento pelos pais?". Métodos: O dentista seguiu o seguinte roteiro: formulação de uma pergunta específica; realização da busca bibliográfica utilizando descritores e termos livres; seleção dos artigos científicos completos para leitura; leitura e avaliação crítica dos artigos selecionados; resumo da evidência disponível e aplicação da evidência à sua prática clínica. O dentista localizou 45 trabalhos e selecionou 20 para leitura na íntegra, mas apenas três puderam ser utilizados, sendo dois ensaios controlados realizados na China e um no Brasil. Resultados: Os resultados mostraram que a estética não foi uma questão importante nem um fator decisivo para a indicação do tratamento proposto. No entanto, embora haja evidência científica robusta sobre a efetividade do diaminofluoreto de prata em paralisar e prevenir lesões de cárie, há pouca informação sobre seu efeito estético. Assim, a falta de estudos que avaliam o impacto do escurecimento das lesões de cárie e o efeito estético do tratamento sobre a qualidade de vida das crianças e seus familiares deve ser ressaltada. Conclusão: O dentista concluiu que não existe evidência suficiente sobre o efeito estético das aplicações de diaminofluoreto de prata em dentes decíduos e optou por informar os responsáveis por seus pacientes a respeito e compartilhar com eles a decisão sobre a indicação do mesmo para cada caso específico.

Effectiveness of a glass ionomer cement used as a pit and fissure sealant in recently erupted permanent first molars.

PURPOSE: This study's purpose was to evaluate the caries-preventive effect of a glass ionomer cement (GIC) used as an occlusal sealant on recently erupted permanent first molars. METHODS: A double-blind, randomized, controlled, clinical trial was undertaken that included 36 5- to 8-year-olds (and 92 permanent first molars) who were randomly allocated to the test group (GIC) or the control group (auto-polymerized resin-based sealant [RBS]). The Mann-Whitney test was used to compare the number of new carious or filled occlusal surfaces in the 2 groups. RESULTS: After 6 months, 1 occlusal surface in the test group and 2 occlusal surfaces in the control group showed carious lesions (P=.15). In the fifth year of follow-up, 2 occlusal surfaces in the test group and 7 occlusal surfaces in the control group were filled or carious (P=.42), and the mean number of sealed surfaces that became carious or filled was 0.2 (95% confidence interval [CI]=0.02-0.70) for the GIC-sealed teeth and 0.6 (95% CI=0.20-1.30) for the RBS-sealed teeth (P=.30). CONCLUSION: High-viscosity glass ionomer cement can provide some level of protection against dental caries when used as a dental sealant in newly erupted permanent first molars.

Preferencias dos cirurgioes-dentistas do municipio do Rio de Janeiro com relacao ao tratamento de dentes deciduos com necrose pulpar / Preferences of dentists from the city of Rio de Janeiro regarding the treatment of primary teeth with pulp necrosis

Objetivo: Conhecer as condutas adotadas por cirurgioes-dentistas que atuam em unidades de atendimento basico de saude do municipio do Rio de Janeiro, com relacao ao tratamento de dentes deciduos com necrose pulpar e identificar os fatores capazes de influenciar a escolha dessas condutas. Metodo: Foram entrevistados 51 cirurgioes-dentistas de 10 unidades de saude localizadas em 4 areas programaticas, atraves de um questionario previamente testado. Os entrevistados forneceram informacoes sobre sua idade, sexo, faculdade frequentada, pos-graduacao, tempo de formado e de atuacao no servico publico. Alem disso, os cirurgioes-dentistas foram questionados sobre as suas condutas em diferentes situacoes clinicas que sugeriam a necrose pulpar em um dente deciduo de uma crianca de 4 anos de idade. Resultados: A maioria dos cirurgioes-dentistas optou por manter os dentes deciduos com necrose pulpar, especialmente nos casos de trauma e de criancas com bom comportamento. Geralmente, esses profissionais realizavam terapias pulpares minimamente invasivas com tratamentos restritos a camara pulpar ou com uma instrumentacao limitada a entrada dos canais radiculares. Nenhum dos cirurgioes-dentistas entrevistados optou pelo tratamento endodontico convencional. Nao foi observada associacao significante entre qualquer conduta clinica e fatores relacionados aos profissionais (p>0,01). Conclusao: Verificou-se uma grande diversidade na escolha do tratamento para dentes deciduos com necrose pulpar, demonstrando a necessidade de se adotar na rede publica de saude um protocolo para esses casos com base em evidencia cientifica e na disponibilidade dos recursos.

Objective: To know the approaches adopted by dentists that work at public health centers (PHC) in the city of Rio de Janeiro, RJ, Brazil, with respect to the treatment of primary teeth with pulp necrosis, and to identify factors capable of influencing the choices of these approaches. Method: Fifty dentists from 51 from 10 PHC located in 4 programmatic areas were interviewed using a previously calibrated questionnaire. The interviewees provided information about their age, gender, dental school they graduated from, post-graduate degree, time since graduation and, public service activity. In addition, the dentists were argued about their conduct in different clinical situations that suggested the presence of pulp necrosis in a primary tooth in a year-old child. Results: Most dentists opted for maintaining the primary teeth with necrotic pulp, especially in cases of trauma and children with good behavior. These professionals usually performed minimally invasive pulpal therapies with treatments restricted to the pulp chamber or with instrumentation limited to the root canal entrance. None of the interviewed dentists opted for conventional endodontic treatment. There was no significant association (p>0.01) between any clinical approach and factors related to the professionals. Conclusion: There was great diversity in treatments proposed for primary teeth with pulp necrosis, demonstrating the need for the public health service adopting a protocol for these cases based on scientific evidence and availability of resources.