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An evaluation of the usefulness of two endodontic case assessment forms by general dentists
M H Ree1, M F Timmerman, P R Wesselink
1Department of Cariology Endodontology Pedodontology and Periodontology, Academic Centre for Dentistry Amsterdam (ACTA), Amsterdam, the Netherlands. endoree@planet.nl
Aim:
To evaluate the use of two forms to assess the risks and difficulty of root-canal treatment.
Methodology:
Two criterion-based forms, containing 15 and 16 items, respectively, were distributed to 83 general dentists to evaluate the potential difficulty of root-canal treatment. The participants were asked to assess the difficulty of 15 endodontic cases using the Dutch Endodontic Treatment Index (DETI) and the Endodontic Treatment Classification (ETC) forms. A questionnaire was also provided to evaluate the time needed to complete the two forms, their ease of use, the clarity and/or appropriateness of the criteria and any other comments. The outcomes of the assessment were compared with the assessment of each case as carried out by the authors.
Results:
The response rate was 53%. The DETI was an easy and rapid way to differentiate between uncomplicated and complicated cases. In 13 of the 15 cases, 88-100% of the dentists scored the cases in agreement with the authors. Use of the ETC form was more complicated, as a result of the larger number of variables. However, most respondents recognized the complicated cases, and 91% found the ETC form valuable to help in assessing the difficulty of endodontic cases.
Conclusions:
These two forms may help general practitioners to assess the difficulty of endodontic problems and to decide whether to treat the case or to refer it to a specialist.