Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jun 8, 2026
Oral Biofilm Formation on Different Materials for Dental Implants
Published on: June 24, 2018
Child and parental acceptance of preformed metal crowns
S J Bell1, A G Morgan, Z Marshman
1Unit of Oral Health and Development, Department of Oral Health and Development, School of Dentistry, University of Sheffield, Claremont Crescent, Sheffield, UK.
Insights
Preformed metal crowns (PMCs) are well-accepted by children and parents in pediatric dentistry. Most children found the procedure easy, and both groups felt informed, encouraging wider use of this restorative approach.
Area of Science:
- Pediatric Dentistry
- Restorative Dentistry
- Child Psychology
Background:
- Preformed metal crowns (PMCs) are a common restorative option for primary molars in pediatric dentistry.
- Assessing patient and parent acceptance is crucial for treatment success and clinician confidence.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate child and parent acceptance of preformed metal crowns (PMCs) in a pediatric dental setting.
- To identify factors influencing acceptance and satisfaction with PMC treatment.
Main Methods:
- A service evaluation utilizing child- and parent-centered self-report questionnaires.
- Data collected from 62 children (mean age 6.6 years) and their parents at Sheffield Dental Hospital.
- Questionnaires assessed treatment experience, views on PMCs, and perceived coping, with clinical data extracted from records.
Main Results:
- High acceptance rates for PMCs were observed, with most children finding the procedure easy.
- Parental objections to PMC appearance were minimal (4.8%).
- Both children and parents reported feeling well-informed about the treatment rationale, with positive themes of specialness and function emerging from children's accounts.
Conclusions:
- Preformed metal crowns (PMCs) are generally viewed favorably by children and their parents.
- Findings may encourage clinicians hesitant about using PMCs.
- Effective communication and clinical expertise are vital for positive treatment experiences and attitudes toward PMCs.
Aim:
To assess child and parent acceptance of preformed metal crowns (PMCs).
Study Design:
This was a service evaluation using a child- and parent-centred self-report questionnaire in a convenience sample of hospital patients.
Methods:
Questionnaires were developed with serviceusers and issued to 98 children who had received a PMC on a primary molar within the paediatric dentistry clinic, Sheffield Dental Hospital, UK. Children used a pictorial Likert scale to rate their treatment experience and views on PMCs. Parents were also asked to complete a 5-item questionnaire, to explore their attitudes towards the PMC and how they felt their child had coped with treatment. Both children and parents were invited to comment in a free-text box on any other issues relating to PMCs. Clinical data were extrapolated from the child's dental records as follows: child's age and gender; status of clinician who had placed the PMC (staff or student), and technique for PMC placement (Hall technique or conventional).
Results:
62 questionnaires were completed (63% response rate). The mean age of the child participants was 6.6 years (SD±1.51; range=3.8-10.3), and 65% (n=40) were male. Most children found the clinical procedure acceptable with 54.8% (n=34) reporting it was 'really easy', with no significant differences according to placement technique, or the experience level of the operator (P<0.05, chi-squared test). Only 4.8% (n=3) of parents expressed strong objections to the appearance. Both children and parents felt the clinical rationale had been fully explained to them (88.7%, n=55 and 100%, n=62 respectively). Themes commonly identified from the children's accounts related to specialness, function and recollections of the treatment, with the perception that PMCs were valued for being different.
Conclusions:
This study revealed that PMCs were mainly viewed favourably by children and their parents. Clinicians who have been reluctant to use this restorative approach may be encouraged by these findings. However, communication and clinical expertise are paramount in ensuring children and parents have positive treatment experiences and attitudes towards PMCs.
