Saving Primary Molars: Pulpotomy and Stainless-Steel Crown Workshop

Enhance your clinical confidence and decision-making in paediatric restorative dentistry through this evidence-based CPD course focused on pulp therapy and stainless-steel crowns (SSC).

Course overview

This course is designed to provide practical, clinically relevant knowledge for managing pulpally involved primary teeth and restoring them effectively using SSCs. Participants will gain a clear understanding of case selection, diagnosis, treatment planning, and step-by-step clinical procedures aligned with current guidelines.

Key topics include vital pulp therapy techniques, indications and contraindications, material selection, and long-term outcomes. The SSC component will focus on indication, contraindications, tooth preparation, crown selection, crimping, cementation, and troubleshooting common clinical challenges.

Through a combination of didactic teaching, case-based discussions, and hands-on training, participants will develop the skills required to deliver predictable, high-quality care for their paediatric patients.

This course is ideal for general dentists and healthcare professionals seeking to strengthen their competency in managing children in clinical practice.

Course synopsis

This program is designed to build clinicians’ skills in treating primary teeth with pulpal involvement through practical training grounded in current best evidence. Attendees will learn how to evaluate cases, determine when intervention is indicated or unsuitable, and competently perform pulpotomy procedures.

The course also addresses the use of stainless-steel crowns, including guidance on their selection, preparation, and placement using both conventional methods and the Hall approach.

Upon completion, participants will be better prepared to maintain the function and longevity of primary teeth, protect arch development, and deliver reliable restorative treatment for children.

Learning Outcomes

• Understand the biological and clinical principles underpinning vital pulp therapy and full coronal restoration in primary and young permanent teeth
• Identify indications and contraindications for pulpotomy and stainless-steel crowns and explain their role in comprehensive paediatric treatment planning
• Conduct accurate diagnosis and case selection, including clinical examination and radiographic interpretation to assess pulpal status and restorability
• Formulate evidence-based treatment plans integrating pulp procedures with definitive restoration using stainless steel crowns
• Describe and compare pulpotomy techniques and materials, including their properties, clinical applications, and limitations
• Demonstrate knowledge of stainless-steel crown selection, adaptation, and placement, including appropriate tooth preparation techniques
• Perform step-by-step pulpotomy procedures in accordance with current best practice and clinical guidelines
• Execute stainless steel crown placement, including tooth preparation, crown fitting, crimping, and cementation
• Apply appropriate material selection and handling, including pulp medicaments and luting agents
• Recognise and manage potential complications and failures associated with both pulp therapies and stainless-steel crowns
• Evaluate treatment outcomes and long-term prognosis, including establishing appropriate review and follow-up protocols
• Incorporate effective behaviour management techniques to support successful treatment in paediatric patients
• Apply infection prevention and control principles throughout all clinical procedures
• Communicate effectively with children and caregivers, including explaining treatment options, risks, benefits, and post-operative care
• Integrate current evidence and clinical guidelines into decision-making to support high-quality paediatric dental care

Who should attend?

This course is ideal for general dentists and oral healthcare professionals seeking to strengthen their competency in managing children in clinical practice.

Presenter: Associate Professor Sobia Zafar BDS, MSc, DClinDent,, PhD FICD SFHEA

Dr Sobia Zafar is a specialist paediatric dentist, clinical senior lecturer and the discipline lead in paediatric dentistry at The University of Queensland. She also holds an affiliated position of Senior Research Fellow at the Child Health Research Centre. She is the current president of the Australia and New Zealand Society of Paediatric Dentistry (ANZSPD) Qld section and the councillor for the International Association of Dental Research (IADR) ANZ for Brisbane section.

Sobia completed her DClinDent and PhD from the University of Otago, New Zealand. Her research and clinical interests are in dental education, digital dentistry, and children's oral health, including those with special needs. She is frequently an invited speaker nationally and internationally on these subjects.

Sobia has over 100 publications, comprising full journal papers, a book chapter and published abstracts, in national and international high-quality peer-reviewed journals. Sobia has successfully supervised 40 Honours research students, five HDR (PhD and MPhil) and two DClinDent students to completion. Sobia was the winner of the "Best Research Supervisor Award" for Higher Degree Research students in 2022 and also in 2023.

Statement from presenter A/Professor Dr Sobia Zafar:

"As the course presenter, my course content includes clinical cases from my private practice therefore cannot be reused, reproduced, or delivered by others without my prior written permission. This includes lecture materials, case presentations, images, and any associated teaching resources."

Course Specifics

• Date of Event: October 2nd, 2026
• Format of Event i.e. Clinical Workshop
• Location: University of Queensland, School of Dentistry
• Designed for: Dentists and Oral Health Therapists
• Experience Level: BDSc BoH
• CPD Points: 6 hours

Refund & Cancellation Policy

The School of Dentistry understands that circumstances can change.

Refunds are not available for cancellations made within 48 hours of the event start time, or for late arrival or non-attendance, as event and catering costs have already been incurred.

• If an event is cancelled by the School due to severe weather or other emergency circumstances, a full refund will be provided.
• Requests for refunds due to compassionate circumstances will be considered on a case-by-case basis. 
• Where an attendee is unable to attend, registrations may be transferred to another person prior to the event free of charge. 
• All refund or transfer requests must be submitted in writing to uqsod-cpd@uq.edu.au