Vital Pulp Treatment (VPT): Inquiry Survey.

Objectives: To explore the variability in the knowledge and treatment decisions of VPT for use in mature permanent teeth between specialists (S) and non-specialists in endodontics (NE) and according to years after graduation.
Methods: A questionnaire designed for this purpose was used and sent electronically to the FOUBA mailing list and published on the institution's website to be answered voluntarily and anonymously. The questionnaire included data related to the respondent's profile, as well as information on their knowledge of VPT. Four groups were formed according to years of graduation: G1 (< 5), G2 (between 5 and 10), G3 (between 10 and 20) and G4 (> 20). Means and SD, percentages, and chi-square were calculated for comparisons.
Results: Replies were received from 747 respondents. Their mean age was 42.33 years (SD: 11.41), 98.1% in active clinical practice and 89.7% in the private sector. 94.06% of E and 75.99% of NE (p<0.001), and 87.71% of G1, 78.29% of G2, 74.19% of G3 and 65.13% of G4 (p<0.001) reported knowing the term VPT. A preoperative diagnosis of irreversible pulpitis was considered a necessarily indication for pulpectomy by 55.08% of E and 70.28% of NE (p=0.002) and 61.98%, 67.44%, 68.81% and 72.03% of G1, G2, G3 and G4 respectively (p=0.18). Regarding the question that asked about the determinant factor for the indication of pulpectomy in the presence of pulp exposure caused by caries, only 41.52% of E and 20.50% of NE identified the persistence of bleeding (p<0.001). With respect to the years of graduation only 28.07% in G1, 27.13% in G2, 26.34% in G3 and 16.47% in G4 recognized it (p=0.03). 34.74% in E and 43.56% in NE considered pulpotomy as a valid treatment option only in pieces with immature apex (p=0.09), with 37.42%, 40.31%, 44.08% and 45.21% in G1, G2, G3 and G4, respectively (p=0.39).
Conclusions: In this sample, endodontic specialists and professionals with fewer years since graduation reported a higher rate of knowledge of the term VPT, although a lack of clear knowledge on the subject was evidenced.