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Blinkhorn A, Sadeh-Kabir R Int J Paediatr Dent 2003; 13: 165–171

In this study, 139 GDPs in Los Angeles were compared with 117 GDPs in the North-west of England (response rate 84%). Questionnaires asked for the practitioners' responses to a scenario of a 5 year-old anxious child with pain in a carious lower right first deciduous molar and caries in 4 other teeth.

Immediate care was similar in respect of drainage and antibiotic prescription, but US dentists were 5× as likely to take a radiograph, twice as likely to offer root treatment, or extraction, and 21× as likely to place a space maintainer. UK dentists were 11× as likely to use GA for extraction.

In respect of follow-up, UK dentists were 28× as likely to extract all first primary molars and 7× as likely to refer to a specialist. US dentists were twice as likely to consider restorations, and 26× as likely to recommend a Ni-Cr crown. In respect of longer term care, UK dentists were significantly more likely to give dietary advice but less likely to use fluoride varnish.