(PR46) Patients’ Knowledge Regarding Endodontic Procedures is Inadequate: a Scoping Review

Introduction: Patients' roles in endodontic treatment planning have received less attention than clinicians' roles. However, patients’ cognitions are critical to their seeking appropriate care, especially in emergency situations, such as trauma or toothache. This starts with background knowledge. It is our profession’s obligation to educate patients and lay-people, including teachers and coaches who are likely to guide treatment, and policymakers.

Objectives: Do patients lack fundamental knowledge regarding endodontic disease, including trauma, and its treatment? Material and

Methods: A scoping review, appropriate to the extant literature, was designed using defined inclusion and exclusion criteria. A Medline search using “(((PATIENTS) AND (ROOT CANAL) OR (ENDODONTIC) AND (KNOWLEDGE)))” was conducted, along with expert recommendation and citation mining. Quantitative and qualitative data was extracted and compiled.

Results: The search produced 1,551 titles, 235 abstracts, and 48 papers that met defined inclusion criteria. Hand searching added 15 additional papers. The 63 papers were published between 1988 and 2022; 18 papers prospectively assessed 5,355 patients’ knowledge during treatment planning for NSRCT, while the remaining 45 papers assessed knowledge of 18,590 individuals regarding management of dental trauma. Studies were survey-based and used quantitative questions. Knowledge levels of NCRST papers were classified as excellent 0%, good 25%, moderate 50%, poor 19%, very poor 6% and for trauma management 2%, 13%, 47%, 30%, 8%, respectively. NSRCT subjects included indications, number of appointments, cost, antibiotics, and restoration.

Conclusion: Patients’ fundamental knowledge is inadequate to inform their recognition, participation and decision-making regarding endodontic treatment including NSRCT and trauma management.