Qualitative study exploring general dental practitioners' views of MIH and its management in the UK and Australia.

BACKGROUND: Molar-incisor hypomineralisation (MIH) is a prevalent condition, and how it is managed varies greatly between professional groups.

AIM: To explore, and compare, the UK and Australian general dental practitioners' management of MIH in children.

DESIGN: Face-to-face (remote) semistructured interviews were undertaken, using country-specific topic guides. Participants were purposively sampled and recruited through national conferences and research networks (eviDent Foundation and Northern Dental Practice Based Research Network). Interviews (from each country) were audio-recorded, transcribed verbatim and independently analysed using thematic analysis.

RESULTS: Two major themes arose from the UK interviews: (i) decision-making complexities and understanding of treatment options and (ii) need for specialist input. The main Australian themes were (i) multidisciplinary approach to management supporting decision-making complexities and (ii) economic implications for care. Several difficulties, such as financial implications, multidisciplinary care and clinical decision-making, were identified as barriers to effectively managing MIH by GDPs in primary care.

CONCLUSION: There are similarities and differences in the knowledge and management of MIH amongst UK and Australian nonspecialists. The different healthcare systems played a significant role in shaping how GDPs manage MIH with barriers relating to affordability, multidisciplinary care and clinical decision-making.