Premium
A re‐audit of the technical quality of undergraduate root canal treatment after the introduction of new technology and teaching practices
Author(s) -
Donnelly A.,
Coffey D.,
Duncan H. F.
Publication year - 2017
Publication title -
international endodontic journal
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.988
H-Index - 119
eISSN - 1365-2591
pISSN - 0143-2885
DOI - 10.1111/iej.12727
Subject(s) - root canal , dentistry , audit , medicine , orthodontics , management , economics
Aim To revaluate through re‐audit the technical quality of undergraduate nonsurgical root canal treatment ( RCT x) in a dental teaching hospital as a result of recommended changes to teaching practices. Methodology The technical quality of undergraduate RCT x was evaluated radiographically after educational changes and the mandatory introduction of new technologies (nickel‐titanium files, apex locators, greater taper gutta‐percha points) in 182 root canals. Evaluation was based on four criteria: presence of voids, root canal filling termination (0–2 mm of radiographic apex), all roots filled and the prepared canal contained the original anatomy. Chi‐squared analysis was used to determine statistically significant improvements in quality between the respective audits ( P < 0.05). Results Twenty‐three of the 40 canals in single‐rooted teeth (57.5%) and 68 of the 129 (52.7%) canals in multirooted teeth analysed had an acceptable root filling. This compared with 48% of canals in single‐rooted teeth and 38% of canals in multirooted teeth in the original audit. Specifically, the frequency of root canal voids and unsatisfactory apical root filling termination were reduced in multirooted teeth by 23% and 14% and in single‐rooted teeth by 11% and 12%, respectively, compared with the original audit. When multirooted teeth were taken as one unit, 45.2% were considered to be acceptable, significantly better than the 18.8% multirooted teeth in the original audit ( P = 0.042). Deviations from the canal anatomy on radiographic examination were rare findings in both audits. Conclusions Changes to endodontic teaching practices significantly improved the technical standards of undergraduate root filling in multirooted teeth. The regular auditing of undergraduate teaching practice is necessary to inform current teaching, instigate change and improve standards.