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ished in a lower number
techniques [y = -0.15; P
her nickel-titanium hand
systems [y = -0.25; P =
at all in any of the new
{IV).
%)
Aseptic operation field and rubber dam
The GDPs' confidence in performing endodontic treatment in relation to a mandibular
molar varied, but was relatively high, expressed as VAS scores below 50. When
mean comparisons of the VAS scores were compared, the creation of an aseptic
operation field was regarded as the most difficult procedure (Study II). In the urban
GDP population only 4% were frequent users of rubber dam, and 14% used rubber
dam occasionally (Study IV). However, a technology cluster was observed, as
frequent rubber dam application was correlated with the adoption of nickel-titanium
hand instruments [y = 0.24; P = 0.003], nickel-titanium rotary systems [y = 0.50; P <
0.0005] and warm gutta-percha techniques [y = 0.29; P = 0.0005]. The use or nonuse
of rubber dam was not noted in a single Dental Complaints Board related to an
endodontic malpractice claim (Study VI).
2 GDPs. NiTi denotes nickelrnational
Endodontic Journal,
:lge and skills disclosed
ng at a non-satisfactory
I 'root filling procedure'.
hesia' and 'emergency
Cl*)
(I*)
(1*}
Nousati.~/(1cto1·y
Total (t7"1
M
28 (6.3) 7
182 (40.8) 96
2 (0.4) l
5 (1.1) 0
5 (I. I)
24 (5.3) 14
27 (6.0) 19
34 (7.7) 15
F
No
il~iiuc11n·
21 23
86 24
I 20
5 19
3 25
10 19
8 19
19 26
~nts' of level of endodontic
ith permission from OOOOE,
Microbiology and endodontic prognosis
The gold standard regarded the preoperative presence or not of microorganisms to
be all important as evidenced by their high-lighting of 'periapical status' and 'infected
root canal' to have a particular influence on the endodontic prognosis (Study V). In
contrast, the GDPs highlighted 9 out of 12 preoperative factors as having a relatively
high influence (VAS scores > 50) on the outcome of endodontic treatment (Fig. 8).
Furthermore, -40% of the GDPs regarded their microbiological knowledge as not up
to standard (Table 7).
GDP graduation year/age
Dentists from the early graduation years performed fewer endodontic treatments per
week than dentists in the later group (Study IV). Younger dentists compared to older
scored a higher influence on treatment outcome in relation to 'status of the pulp' and
'periapical status', 'interappointment dressing in treatment of the necrotic infected
pulp' and 'presence of bacteria in the root canal after completion of instrumentation'
(Study V).
29