Attitude of general dental practitioners toward root canal treatment procedures in India.

OBJECTIVE

The percentage of general dental practitioners is very common in India, so the purpose of this study was to assess attitude of general dental practitioners toward root canal treatment (RCT) procedures.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

In a cross-sectional study, 178 dentists (96 males and 82 females) were surveyed using a selfadministered, structured questionnaire pretested through a pilot survey. The questionnaire collected information regarding RCT procedures among participants. Data were analyzed using SPSS version 15. Frequency and percentage distributions were calculated.

RESULTS

In the present study most of the participants, i.e. 86.4% reported that they perform (RCT) procedures in posterior teeth. Isolation is mainly done with cotton rolls only (74.6%) and very few are using rubber dam in their practice (3.2%). Radiographs were not taken after every step in most of the cases. Rotary instruments were used in less number of cases and K-files were the most popular instruments (66.2%). Also single sitting RCT was not commonly seen.

CLINICAL SIGNIFICANCE

This study indicates that most of the general dental practitioners' do not comply with quality standards guidelines such as use of rubber dam as isolation. So dentist should update their knowledge and practices with current techniques and materials through CDE programs.