March 2006

Volume 23, Issue 1

Root canal treatment in a population-based adult sample: differences in patient factors and types of teeth treated between endodontists and general dentists

Authors: B.J. Shelton M.J. Boykin G.H. Gilbert K.R. Tilashalski
doi:

Abstract

Objective The purpose of this study was to identify in a population-based study the differences between general dentists and endodontists with regard to types of teeth treated, fees, and patient characteristics. Basic research design The “Florida Dental Care Study” was a prospective cohort study using a representative baseline sample of 873 dentate adults. In-person interviews and clinical examinations were conducted at baseline, 24 months, and 48 months, with 6-monthly telephone interviews between those times. Dental record information was abstracted afterward. Results A total of 100 root canals were performed in participants during the study period. While generalists performed the majority of endodontic procedures in all teeth, the percentage of molars treated by endodontists was significantly higher than the percentage of anterior teeth and bicuspids treated by endodontists. Data on fees were available in 85 of the cases. The trend was for endodontists fees to be higher, but the difference in fees was statistically significant only for molars. There were no statistically significant differences between generalist and specialist patients with regard to income, fear of pain, and frustration from previous dental care. However, a significantly higher percentage of patients treated by endodontists had dental insurance. Conclusions Although the number of teeth ultimately treated in this representative sample of a dentate population was small, results do suggest that endodontists’ fees were higher, they performed a higher percentage of molar root canals, and their patients were more likely to have dental insurance, as compared to general dentists who did root canals. Key words: endodontics, epidemiology, root canal therapy

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Editorial - Improving the oral health of young children through an evidence-based approach 2-4 Download
An existential model of oral health from evolving views on health, function and disability 5-14 Download
Satisfaction with the oral health services. A qualitative study among Non-Commissioned Officers in the Malaysian Armed Forces 15-20 Download
Root canal treatment in a population-based adult sample: differences in patient factors and types of teeth treated between endodontists and general dentists 21-25 Download
Oral Health in 8-9 year-old children in Saxony-Anhalt (Germany) and in two Hungarian cities (Budapest and Debrecen) 26-30 Download
Dental caries experience of Kuwaiti schoolchildren 31-36 Download
Dental caries and enamel fluorosis among the fluoridated population in the Republic of Ireland and non fluoridated population in Northern Ireland in 2002 37-43 Download
BASCD Survey report - The dental caries experience of 11-year-old children in Great Britain. Surveys coordinated by the British Association for the Study of Community Dentistry in 2004 / 2005 44-57 Download
Short communication - Areca nut use amongst South Asian schoolchildren in Tower Hamlets, London: The extent to which the habit is engaged in within the family and used to suppress hunger 58-60 Download
50th Anniversary Conference on Salt Fluoridation Zurich, 17th October 2005 61-61 Download

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