Abstract
Background: Articaine is reportedly the local anaesthetic agent most used by New Zealand (NZ) dentists, but little is known about how and when NZ dentists use it. We investigated NZ dentists’ use of articaine in their practice.
Methods: An online survey was conducted of NZ dentists who met the study’s inclusion criteria and had email addresses recorded on the 2019 NZ Dental Council Register. This was supplemented by a survey link in an email to New Zealand Dental Association members. The survey gathered information on dentists’ use of articaine.
Results: A total of 213 dentists responded. Three-quarters of them reported using articaine every day. Three in five dentists use articaine as their first choice of anaesthetic. Two-thirds of the dentists using articaine said they would use it for an inferior dental block (IDB). The remaining third would not use it out of concern for the risk of persistent paraesthesia. Half of the dentists who participated in this survey reported using a mandibular buccal infiltration with articaine in preference over an IDB to achieve pulpal anaesthesia. Around 80% used articaine with pregnant patients, counter to current recommendations.
Conclusion: Most NZ dentists use articaine to achieve pulpal anaesthesia in multiple circumstances and techniques. Despite current literature supporting the safe use of articaine for most dental procedures, many dentists doubt some of its advantages.