Survey-Based Research on Patients' Knowledge About Endodontic Treatment

Abstract

Introduction. Patients' awareness and knowledge of the endodontic treatment is a very important issue in everyday practice of a dentist. It influences significantly the course and effects of treatment.Aim. The paper presents an analysis of data collected from the patients about their concerns, expectations and perceptions about root canal treatment.Material and methods. Questionnaire surveys were conducted in a group of 203 patients consisting questions characterizing their knowledge about endodontic treatment -their expectations, experiences, possible complications and treatment costs.Results. Analyzing the experiences of patients regarding endodontic treatment, it was found that 69% of people in the past had experienced the procedure of root canal treatment. Most respondents define their state of knowledge of root canal treatment as an average. Fifty-seven percent of respondents admitted to knowing the price of endodontic treatment, 67% of them said that the cost was adequate to the complexity of the procedure. The study shows that most patients still choose specialists (38%).Conclusion. An improvement of knowledge and awareness of patients about the endodontic treatment has been observed.

Patients’ awareness and knowledge of the root canal treatment in Saudi population: survey-based research

“…Media was a source of knowledge in (7%) of subjects. These results are resembled to Janczarek' results (2). Toothache (toothache during eating , toothache when biting ,or strong spontaneous toothache) was the leading cause that confirming the need for endodontic treatment in the vast majority of patients (83% of subject) this result has been observed in previous studies (2,3).…”

“…These results are resembled to Janczarek' results (2). Toothache (toothache during eating , toothache when biting ,or strong spontaneous toothache) was the leading cause that confirming the need for endodontic treatment in the vast majority of patients (83% of subject) this result has been observed in previous studies (2,3). It is conceded that experience and skill are essential to performing root canal treatment, this was confirmed in our study when (68%, 1%, 4%) of respondents chose, as respectively, the specialist, doctor without specialization, student of dentistry for performing endodontic treatment, and when (50%) of respondents chose professional staff as the more important criteria for selecting dental office rather than others.…”

“…Regarding to root canal treatment this study, Janczarek' and Sisodia' studies concluded that the pain was the more important patients' concerns associated with root canal treatment. Long treatment time has drawn attention many subjects in this study and in previous studies (2,3), boredom and pain relief may be cause to neglecting the treatment. Access to health services is one of the human basic and social rights, and providing and increasing it is a duty of the governments (Wellstood K et al 2006), The meaning of access is to remove economic, systemic, social, cultural and behavioral barriers to use health services (Gulliford M et al 2002).…”

“…The questionnaire comprised 18 multiple-choice questions ranged from personal and social details to specific questions relating to knowledge and awareness of patients about endodontic treatment, their impression and experience regarding root canal treatment and its cost , the criteria for selection of dental persons and office, and patients' concerns and barriers to undergo the endodontic therapy. The questionnaire distributed in this study was used in study ofJanczarek et al conducted in Poland (2). The analysis of data was performed using methods of descriptive statistics.…”

“…These influences include patient-related factors such as socioeconomic status, quality of life and patient's expectations and wishes, physician-related factors such as personal characteristics and interaction with their professional community, and features of clinical practice such as private versus public practice as well as local management policies (Hajjaj FM et al2010). Janczarek et al in their survey-based research on patients' knowledge about endodontic treatment concluded that there is an improvement of knowledge and awareness of patients about the endodontic treatment, and the majority of patients surveyed are aware of the opportunities which they may use during the course of endodontic treatment: different forms of anesthesia, root canal treatment, modern techniques and treatment outcome prediction (Janczarek M et al 2014). Another survey conducted by Sisodia showed a moderate level of awareness about endodontic treatment among the selected sample of dental patients.…”