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techniques (19%). The completion of treatment was accomplished in a lower number
of visits if the canals were obturated with warm gutta-percha techniques [y = -0.15; P
= 0.012] and if instrumentation had been carried out by either nickel-titanium hand
instruments [y = -0.12; P = 0.029] or nickel-titanium rotary systems [y = -0.25; P =
0.004]. One third of the GDP responders had no experience at all in any of the new
techniques that were asked about in the questionnaire (Study IV).
Often(%) Occasionally (%) Never(%}
NiTi instrumentation 18 17 65
NiTi rotary 10 5 85
Electronic apex locator 23 19 67
Warm gutta-percha 19 16 65
Aseptic operatio
The GDPs' confi
molar varied, bl
mean comparisc
operation field VI
GDP population
dam occasional
frequent rubber
hand instrument
0.0005] and war
use of rubber de:
endodontic malp
Table 6. The adoption rate of new endodontic technology amongst 692 GDPs. NiTi denotes nickeltitanium
(Source: Table 1, Study IV. Reprinted with permission from International Endodontic Journal,
Wiley-Blackwell, Oxford).
The GDP 'self-assessments' of level of endodontic knowledge and skills disclosed
that 94% of the GDPs rarely assessed themselves as being at a non-satisfactory
level with respect to 'root canal preparation procedure' and 'root filling procedure'.
The same was found concerning 'injecting local anaesthesia' and 'emergency
treatment' (Table 7).
Excelle111 SaTiJfpccHied in relation to gender.
Table 7. The distribution of male and female GDP 'self-assessments' of level of endodontic
knowledge and skills (N = 470) (Source: Table I, Study V. Reprinted with permission from OOOOE,
Elsevier Inc., Philadelphia, PA).
No
Microbiology anc
The gold standa
be all important
root canal' to ha
contrast, the GD
high influence (\
Furthermore, -4
to standard (Tab
GDP graduation
Dentists from th~
week than denfa
scored a higher
'periapical statu:
pulp' and 'prese1
(Study V).
28