The need and reasons for referrals to specialists among Lithuanian general dentists

Rasmutė Manelienė,Vytautė Pečiulienė,Jūratė Rimkuvienė,Saulius Drukteinis

doi:10.3390/medicina46090086

Rasmutė Manelienė, Vytautė Pečiulienė + Show 2 more

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https://doi.org/10.3390/medicina46090086

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Journal: Medicina	Publication Date: Sep 11, 2010
Citations: 6	License type: CC BY 4.0

Affiliation: Vilnius University

Abstract

To analyze the need for referral to a specialist and to identify the reasons of referrals among Lithuanian general dental practitioners. Questionnaires were sent to all 2879 Lithuanian dental practitioners registered on the Lithuanian Dental Chamber license registry. The questionnaire was made with multiple-choice answers. Respondents were asked to choose only one category of answer that best fitted their clinical attitude. Questions included in the questionnaire concerned general and specific information regarding the need and main reasons for endodontic referral. Of the 2879 questionnaires mailed, 1532 questionnaires containing useful information were returned. The response rate was 53.2%. Of the 1532 respondents, 1431 were general dental practitioners. Majority (72.1%) of the respondents performed complicated root canal treatment by themselves. Almost half (49.6%) of them would like to refer patients to an endodontist. Two of the reasons, which restricted their decision, were the shortage of endodontists and high cost of the procedures in the specialized clinics. Approximately 19% of the respondents referred patients to an endodontist. The main reasons for referral were fractured instruments (86.6%), dental trauma (83.6%), difficulties in diagnostics (79%) followed by persistent symptoms (78.1%). The findings of the present study suggest that the need for referral of patients to an endodontist among Lithuanian dental practitioners exists. The main reasons for referrals were complications of endodontic treatment, traumatic injuries, difficulties in diagnostic procedures, and persistent symptoms.

Highlights

Scientific evidence shows that there is a substantial need for root canal treatment in the populations [1,2,3,4,5]
These studies have demonstrated that the success rate of root canal treatment in general dental practice achieved only 60–75%, while the success rate in the studies where endodontic therapy was performed in specialist clinics or dental schools reached up to 96% [6, 7]
Findings showed that with an increase in duration of professional activity, the percentage of respondents who performed endodontic treatment procedures by themselves increased (62.3% of the respondents in the group A vs. 77.5% in the group D; P

Summary

Introduction

Scientific evidence shows that there is a substantial need for root canal treatment in the populations [1,2,3,4,5]. Several cross-sectional studies within the population in different countries including Lithuania have showed a high prevalence of apical periodontitis associated with root filled teeth (24–61%), and a high rate of inadequate root fillings (38–81%) [1,2,3,4,5] These studies have demonstrated that the success rate of root canal treatment in general dental practice achieved only 60–75%, while the success rate in the studies where endodontic therapy was performed in specialist clinics or dental schools reached up to 96% [6, 7]. In order to improve the quality of endodontic therapy performed by general dentists, it is important

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