Lin Stan, Sabbah Wael, Sedgley Christine M, Whitten Brian
Department of Endodontology, School of Dentistry, Oregon Health and Science University, Portland, Oregon.
Division of Population and Public Health, King's College London Dental Institute at Guy's, King's College London and St Thomas Hospitals, London, United Kingdom.
J Endod. 2015 Mar;41(3):325-32. doi: 10.1016/j.joen.2014.11.007. Epub 2015 Jan 15.
The purpose of this study was to assess the perceptions, referral trends, and practice patterns of practicing endodontists in the United States and any effect the recent economy may have had on these.
A 24-question survey was formulated and sent via www.surveymonkey.com to 3255 active members of the American Association of Endodontists. Overall, 875 participants completed the survey, a response rate of 26.9%.
The average number of treatment cases per day was 5.7. Average work hours per week were 34.3 for men and 30.7 for women (P < .05). Among all treatment cases, 46% were nonsurgical retreatment, and 7.2% were apical surgical procedures. Procedural misadventure accounted for 10.8% of all treatment cases, with the most common referral reason being unable to locate canals (75.0%) followed by separated instruments (15.3%). Of all respondents, 49.9% performed regenerative endodontic procedures, and 7.7% placed implants. Among endodontists who practice in urban areas, 69.7% believed there were too many endodontists, and 50% have delayed their retirement plans because of recent economic impact, compared with their suburban and rural counterparts at 66.1% and 38%, 25.9% and 33.1%, respectively (P < .05). Fifty-nine percent of respondents were optimistic about the future of endodontics as a specialty, but those who have practiced more than 20 years were more pessimistic than those with less experience (P < .05).
Recent economic impacts appear to have had an effect on the perceptions of active endodontists regarding practice success, the future of the specialty, and their retirement plans. Those who have been in practice longest (>20 years), practice in urban settings, and practice in a solo environment are most significantly affected.
本研究的目的是评估美国执业牙髓病医生的认知、转诊趋势和执业模式，以及近期经济形势可能对这些方面产生的影响。
制定了一份包含24个问题的调查问卷，并通过www.surveymonkey.com发送给美国牙髓病协会的3255名活跃会员。总体而言，875名参与者完成了调查，回复率为26.9%。
每天的平均治疗病例数为5.7例。男性平均每周工作34.3小时，女性为30.7小时（P <.05）。在所有治疗病例中，46%为非手术再治疗，7.2%为根尖手术。操作失误占所有治疗病例的10.8%，最常见的转诊原因是无法找到根管（75.0%），其次是器械分离（15.3%）。在所有受访者中，49.9%进行了牙髓再生治疗，7.7%植入了种植体。在城市地区执业的牙髓病医生中，69.7%认为牙髓病医生过多，50%因近期经济影响推迟了退休计划，而郊区和农村的同行这一比例分别为66.1%和38%，25.9%和33.1%（P <.05）。59%的受访者对牙髓病专科的未来持乐观态度，但执业超过20年的医生比经验较少的医生更悲观（P <.05）。
近期的经济影响似乎对活跃牙髓病医生对执业成功、专科未来以及退休计划的认知产生了影响。执业时间最长（>20年）、在城市环境中执业且独自执业的医生受影响最为显著。
