Knowledge and Awareness Regarding Root Canal Treatment Among the General Population

Keywords

Root Canal Treatment; Endodontics; Knowledge; Awareness; Cost; Dentist; Toothache.

Introduction

Endodontics is the branch of dentistry that deals with diseases of the tooth root, dental pulp, and surrounding tissue in human [1]. It is a profession based on the work with other people, hence several factors should be considered during clinical decision-making process.Endodontictherapy, also known as endodontictreatment or root canal therapy, is a treatment sequence for the infected pulp of a tooth which results in the elimination of infection and the protection of the decontaminated tooth from future microbial invasion [2]. Enterococcus faecalis is a recalcitrant candidate among the many causative agents of failed endodontic treatment [3]. Chronic failure is due to the ability of E.faecalis to bind to the collagen of the dentinal tubule and remain viable within the tubules [4]. These microorganisms have the ability to grow even in a low- nutrient environment and can survive in the root canals as a mono infection [5].

A root canal is a treatment used to repair and save a tooth that is badly decayed or becomes infected [6]. During a root canal procedure, the nerve and pulp are removed and the inside of the tooth is cleaned and sealed [7]. Without treatment the tissue surrounding the tooth will become infected and abscesses may form [8]. The contemporary endodontics involves the introduction of many new instruments, materials, and techniques. Controlled studies have shown that root canal treatment brought high success rates of more than 90% [9]. The aim of this study was to evaluate the knowledge and awareness of patients in ourpopulation regarding root canal treatment, and assess their concerns, expectations and choices.

Material and Methods

A standardised questionnaire was distributed to 100 patients visiting the Saveetha Dental college, Chennai during their regular dental visits. The questionnaire comprised 15 multiple-choice questions ranged from personal and social details to specific questions relating to knowledge and awareness of patients about endodontic treatment, their impression and experience regarding root canal treatment. It also included questions regarding the cost, the criteria for selection of dental persons and office, and patients’ concerns and barriers to undergo the endodontic therapy. Data collected was statistically analysed and results obtained.

Questionnaire:

Knowledge and awareness regarding root canal treatment among the general population:

1) Do you know what is a root canal treatment?
A) Yes B) No

2) When Do you think root canal treatment is required?
A) pain in the tooth B) decayed tooth C) Fracture of tooth

3) Whom do you visit for a root canal treatment?
A)general dentist B) root canal specialist

4) Do you know that there is a specialist for Root canal treatment?
A) Yes B) No

5) what do you prefer when there is tooth pain?
A)Root canal treatment B) extraction C) Herbal treatment D) selftreatment

6) Whom do you visit when you get a tooth pain?
A) general dentist B) specialist C) dental college

7) Have you undergone root canal treatment?
A) Yes B) No

8) Who did the root canal treatment for you?
A) General Dentist B) Dental studentC)specialist

9) If yes, what was your experience during Root canal treatment?
A) Painful B) not painful

10)Is the root canal treatment costly?
A) Yes B) No

11) Do you suggest Root canal treatment to your colleagues?
A) Yes B) No

12) If no why?
A) too costly B) Not worth it C) fear about the treatment D) Do not believe in root canal treatment

13) Do you fear from undergoing root canal treatment?
A) YesB) No

14)Have any of your family members undergone root canal treatment?
A) Yes B) No

15) Does the price influence your decision about not taking a root canal treatment?
A) Yes B) No

Result

Responses of the general population about their knowledge and awareness regarding root canal treatment is described in the Table 1 and Table 2.

×

Table 1:

Close

Table 1. Responses regarding patient awareness on root canal treatment.

×

Table 2:

Close

Table 2. Responses regarding previous experience on root canal treatment.

Discussion

The process of clinical decision-making is the essence of everyday clinical practice [10]. This process involves an interaction of applications of clinical and biomedical knowledge, problem-solving, weighing of probabilities and various outcomes, and balancing risk-benefit [11]. Although most clinical decisions are based on ‘traditional’ clinical criteria, they are also influenced by a wide range of non-clinical factors. Non-clinical influences on clinical decision-making profoundly affect medical decisions [12].These influences include patient-related factors such as socioeconomic status, quality of life and patient’s expectations and wishes, physician- related factors such as personal characteristic and interaction with their professional community, and features of clinical practice such as private versus public practice as well as local management policies [13]. It has been understood that dental anxiety and expectation of pain had a profound effect on a patient’s ability to understand information provided [14]. A person’s ability to process information is significantly affected by stress and their socioeconomic status [15]. The cost of care and the patient's ability to pay may influence the physician's therapeutic plan. Patients with a high socioeconomic status who are able to pay for healthcare are more likely to have medical tests than patients with a low socioeconomic status [16].

Indeed, some research has suggested that dental fear is a stronger predictor of poor oral health than structural factors such as income, dental costs, and insurance status.Several studies confirm that dental anxiety is more common in women [17]. The impact of root canal treatment on the oral health–related quality of life of patients has been evaluated sing the short form (OHIP-14) or modified version of the Oral Health Impact Profile [18]. The distinctly positive impact of root canal treatment was apparent regardless of cultural background of the patient group or the measure used [19]. As expected, physical pain, psychological discomfort (feeling tense), and disability (difficulty in relaxing) were the most improved domains following treatment [20]. In all professions based on the work with other people, understanding of motivational processes and skills of using knowledge is very important [21, 22]. These factors are particularly important in everyday practice of a dentist.

Knowledge and awareness of patients regarding root canal treatment are different among races and populations. There has been increased knowledge and concern of patients about endodontic treatment. Toothache is the greatest motivation of patient to refer the dentist, and pain is the more important patients’ concerns associated with root canal treatment [23, 24]

Conclusion

According to our study it was clear that most of the people had a good knowledge and awareness regarding root canal treatment but they felt it was costly to accept the treatment.A general dentist was the first choice for majority of patients. Cost associated with endodontic treatment was a serious barrier for obtaining treatment.