# Assessment of Knowledge, Attitude, and Teaching of the Hall Technique Among Pediatric Dentistry Faculty in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia

## TL;DR

This study examines how well pediatric dentistry faculty in Riyadh know and teach a minimally invasive dental technique called the Hall Technique.

## Contribution

The study provides insights into the current knowledge, attitudes, and teaching practices of the Hall Technique among Saudi pediatric dentistry faculty.

## Key findings

- 67.74% of participants use the Hall Technique clinically for carious primary molars.
- Most participants learned about the Hall Technique during postgraduate residency, not undergraduate training.
- Teaching of the Hall Technique is inconsistent, with some faculty omitting it from their curriculum.

## Abstract

Background: The Hall Technique (HT) in pediatric dentistry is a minimally invasive method for treating carious primary molars by sealing cavities with preformed stainless-steel crowns, eliminating the need for local anesthesia, caries removal or tooth preparation. Objectives: To assess the knowledge, attitude, and teaching of HT among pediatric dentistry faculty in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. Methods: A cross-sectional descriptive study involved 36 pediatric dentistry faculty members from six dental colleges in Riyadh. Data were collected using a validated questionnaire covering demographics and professional information, HT knowledge, attitude, and teaching strategies. Results: Thirty-one pediatric dentistry faculty responded to the questionnaire, and 67.74% of participants use HT clinically, primarily for asymptomatic carious primary molars. Most participants learned about HT during postgraduate residency (61.29%), while only 6.45% were introduced to it in undergraduate training. Teaching practices varied, with 51.61% teaching HT to undergraduate and/or postgraduate students, and 16.13% omitting it from their curriculum. Key barriers to HT adoption included limited undergraduate exposure, misconceptions, and a lack of standardized guidelines. Fisher’s Exact Test showed that gender, academic position, and years of experience were significantly associated with HT use. Only years of experience were significantly associated with recommending HT use by undergraduate students. No factors were significantly associated with teaching HT. Conclusions: While awareness of HT is high among pediatric dentistry faculty, inconsistent teaching and limited clinical use hinder its full integration. Addressing these barriers through curriculum updates and professional development could enhance the acceptance and quality of HT use in pediatric dentistry in Saudi Arabia.