Swiss paediatric dentists’ preferences and experience on the use of articaine and other local/topical anaesthetics

Purpose This study was conducted to explore the preference and experience of paediatric dentists based in Switzerland regarding the use of articaine and other local and topical anaesthesia. Methods An 18-question survey was developed, piloted, and distributed to the members of the Swiss association of paediatric dentistry ( n = 460). The following information were collected: most used local anaesthetic in different age groups, time needed to inject a full ampule, frequency of observed local and systemic side effects, application of topical anaesthetic prior to injection, time waited between application and the injection, and perceived effectiveness of topical anaesthetic. The dentists’ responses were analysed with logistic regressions reporting odds ratios (OR) and 95% confidence intervals (CI) at 5%. Results The response rate was 37% ( n = 168) out of the 460 questionnaires sent, with the responders being predominantly female (67%) and 47-year-old on average. More than 80% of the dentists used articaine in all age groups. 45% of responders took longer than 60 s to inject a full ampule. Local and systemic side-effects were observed by 82% and 28% of respondents respectively, although the nature and the significance of those were not detailed due to the anonymous nature of the questionnaire. Significantly less local adverse effects were seen for older children ( p = 0.04) and among dentists with more years of experience ( p = 0.01). Most responders applied topical anaesthetic and half of them waited longer than 60 s before injection. Conclusions Articaine is a widely used local anaesthetic by the studied group of Swiss paediatric dentists regardless of patient’s age. The use of topical anaesthetic before injection is a common practice with good perceived effectiveness.