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(PR22) Comparison of NSRCT Knowledge Between General Dentists and Endodontists, a Systematic Review

Thursday, May 4, 2023

1:00 PM – 4:00 PM CT

Presenter(s)

CC

Chia-Chin Chen, D.D.S.

Resident
University of California, Los Angeles
Los Angeles, California, United States

Co-Author(s)

Rucha Patil, B.D.S.

Advanced Clinical Trainee, Endodontics
University of California, Los Angeles
Los Angeles, California, United States
XG

Xan Goodman, N/A

Associate Professor
University of Nevada, Las Vegas
Las Vegas, Nevada, United States
Edmund Monsef, D.M.D.

Lecturer
University of California, Los Angeles
Los Angeles, California, United States
Shane N. White, B.D.S., M.S., Ph.D., M.A.

Professor
University of California, Los Angeles
Los Angeles, California, United States

Objective: Knowledge is the comprehension or awareness of an idea or intention. Although modulated by attitudes and beliefs, knowledge is the essential foundation of evidence-based dentistry and practice. However, does knowledge of nonsurgical root canal treatment (NSRCT) differ between general dentists and endodontists?

Methods: A systematic review using defined terms, strategy, and criteria was performed in Medline, Embase and the Cochrane Library to identify the published evidence. This produced 3757 titles; serial review discovered 373 abstracts, 47 full texts, and identified 11 papers. Hand-searching added one paper.

Results: The 12 included papers were published between 2006 and 2020; seven in 2020, indicative of emergent interest. 11 NSRCT topics were examined, 66 questions asked, and knowledge of 2479 dentists in five countries examined. All 12 papers identified gaps in dentists’ knowledge of NSRCT versus the literature and established standards. Levels of knowledge were classified as excellent, good, moderate, or poor for 0, 2, 6, and 4 papers respectively. 10 papers found endodontists' knowledge to be superior to general dentists. One found the converse in NSRCT-related aspects of caries management. Differences were classified as small, moderate and large in 3, 6, and 3 papers, respectively. Authors of 9 of the 12 papers recommended additional education. However, they didn’t determine if lack of education, learning, or retention was the cause of knowledge gaps.

Conclusions: Gaps existed in dentists’ knowledge of NSRCT in all areas examined. Gaps were principally classified as moderate. In 11 out of 12 papers, endodontists exhibited superior knowledge to general dentists.