Dentists’ Knowledge, Attitude and Practice of Root Canal Treatment Procedure: Survey-based Research

Abstract

The aim of this survey was to assess the dentists' knowledge, attitude and practice of endodontic treatment procedures and materials in Damascus city (capital of Syria), and the effect of endodontic specialty and years of experience on the survey findings. Two hundred direct contacts (25 multiple-choice questions containing) questionnaires were distributed to randomly selected dentists practicing in Damascus city in 11 different areas, and a questionnaire contained questions regarding dentists' knowledge, attitude, and practice of root canal treatment procedure. The collected data were entered into a personal computer and analyzed using the statistical package for the social sciences (SPSS), 25 edition. One hundred eighty-eight questionnaires were collected with a 94% response rate. About 71.8% were general dental practitioners (GDPs), 25.5% were not practicing molar endodontics, and only 5.3% were referring difficult cases to endodontists. 32.4% and 21.8% of respondents were practicing vital and necrotic single visit root canal treatment, respectively. Only 6.9% were using rubber dam isolation, and more than half of the respondents used the standardized preparation technique. Non-setting calcium hydroxide was used 100% as an intra-canal medicament during necrotic root canal treatment sessions.96.3% of our respondents prefer delaying final restoration to next visit for symptoms disappearance. It was evident that more practicing experience does not improve treatment options selections of endodontic treatment. So the continuous educational programs are a very important way to change the old or wrong concepts in dental offices. The sample covered a large number of dentists who are working in Damascus; the most developed place in Syria. It is also considered that for carrying out such kind of surveys as long as the dentists are familiar with this type of studies.