An audit of the quality of root canal treatments performed by undergraduate dental students on single-rooted teeth in Glasgow dental hospital and school.

The aim of this investigation was to assess the technical quality of root canal treatments performed by undergraduate dental students on single rooted teeth at the Glasgow Dental Hospital and School. One hundred radiographs of single rooted teeth that had root canal treatment were randomly selected and examined under even illumination in a darkened room using x2 magnification. Of 100 teeth, 20 had voids, and one was perforated. The remaining 79 teeth were assessed using predetermined criteria, and 80% (n=63) were judged to be 'acceptable' 5% (n=4) were 'under-filled, and 15% (n=12) were 'over-filled'. The quality of root canal fillings performed in single rooted teeth by undergraduate dental students at the Glasgow Dental Hospital and School was found to comparable to, or better than, that reported from other international institutions.

21st century endodontics. Part 5.

This series of papers has attempted to present the latest principles in root canal treatment. It is hoped that by comparing the techniques described with their own clinical procedures, the reader will have considered whether changes may be appropriate. These may have been immediate, for example introducing an EDTA solution as an additional irrigant, or more long-term, perhaps by planning to attend hands-on courses to perfect a new procedure before using it in vivo. Professor Dick Walker, an excellent and eminent endodontist, once said that he would not even think of doing something to a patient that he had not done at least twenty times, (and probably more), on an extracted tooth. Wise words indeed! Unfortunately even with practice and persistence, problems may arise during or after root canal treatment. The focus of this paper is on some of the more common problems that may be encountered and how endodontic treatment failures may be addressed.

21st century endodontics. Part 4.

The prime objective of this series of papers has been to focus the attention of the reader on the biological principles of root canal treatment. Accurate diagnosis, knowledge of the root canal morphology and the principles of modern preparation techniques are all essential so that appropriate chemical cleaning and disinfection of the entire root canal system may be accomplished. This paper will consider two further aspects of root canal treatment. First, whether the root canal system should be prepared and obturated in a single visit, and, if not, which intervisit medication is appropriate. Secondly, the modern concepts and techniques for obturation of the root canal system.

21st century endodontics: part 3.

Root canal treatment is often regarded as a simple technical exercise that results in a nice white line on the final radiograph. In fact nothing could be further from the truth, as may be seen from the case illustrated in Figure 1. It is hoped that the first two papers in this series have established that the rationale for modern root canal treatment is the removal of infection from the entire root canal system. This, of course, presumes correct diagnosis and treatment planning, and an essential knowledge of canal morphology. Endodontic preparation is a chemo-mechanical process and both the chemical and the mechanical components play an equal part. The term 'cleaning and shaping' may be associated with canal preparation from previous endodontic teaching. In the 21st century this has been subtly but essentially changed to 'shaping and cleaning'. Instruments are used to rapidly shape the canal to permit the ingress of chemical agents to the entire root canal system.

21st century endodontics. Part 2.

The first paper in this series considered the subject of diagnosis and treatment planning for patients with endodontic problems. One of the factors to be taken into consideration when deciding whether or not to prescribe root canal treatment is the morphology of the root canal system of the root in question. Some information may be gleaned from the pre-operative radiograph, but much will be part of the practitioner's own knowledge. An understanding of the root canal morphology is also essential when cutting efficient and effective access cavities, remembering the endodontic cliché that 'access is success'. This paper will review canal morphology and access cavities, and then consider how teeth under treatment may be isolated from the oral environment to maintain a sterile operating environment.

21st century endodontics. Part 1.

Root canal treatment techniques probably develop and change more frequently than any other area of dental practice and it can be hard for the busy general dental practitioner to keep up to date. The aim of this series of five papers is to give a thorough review of current teaching and practice. This will encompass the rationale of root canal treatment, guidance on the latest technical procedures for preparation and obturation of the entire root canal system, and consideration of how these principles may contribute to successful treatment. The series will address the following issues: diagnosis and treatment planning; root canal morphology and access; control of infection by effective isolation and anti-microbial agents; the philosophy of modern canal preparation techniques; single- or multi-visit treatment with relevant canal medication; obturation; diagnosis of failure and considerations in re-treatment. It is hoped that readers will be encouraged by the series to question their own techniques, audit their outcomes, and adopt new techniques only after careful reflection of the underlying principles involved.

Perceived competency at graduation among dental alumni of the University of the West Indies.

The aims of this study were to describe levels of self-rated competency of dental graduates from the University of the West Indies (UWI) and to investigate relationships with gender and the effect of curriculum change. A thirty-two item self-reported postal questionnaire was sent to UWI dental alumni (1994-2002). The questionnaire included twenty-eight competencies that could be rated on a 5-point scale: 1 (not at all competent) to 5 (very competent). Overall preparedness for practice could also be rated from 1 (not at all prepared) to 5 (very prepared). The response rate was 77.4 percent, with a mean age of 29.3 years. Items with the highest mean scores were taking an adequate medical history (4.49), recognizing and treating dental caries (4.46), oral examination (4.36), and giving dental health education (4.35). Those with the lowest rating were designing and undertaking clinical research (2.29), dealing with practice management issues (2.52), designing and delivering crown and bridge work (3.33), and recognizing pathologic occlusions (3.33). Overall preparedness for practice was rated as 3.27. Female graduates rated four competencies significantly higher than males. Graduates exposed to the new curriculum perceived greater overall preparedness for general dental practice, suggesting the change to a competency-based curriculum was effective.

Perceived competency at graduation among dental alumni of the Universtity of the West Indies

The aims of this study were to describe levels of self-rated competency of dental graduates from The University of the West Indies (UWI) and to investigate relationships with gender and the effect of curriculum change. A thirty-two item self-reported postal questionnaire was sent to UWI dental alumni (1994-2002). The questionnaire included twenty-eight competencies that could be rated on a 5-point scale: 1 (not at all competent) to 5 (very competent). Overall preparedness for practice could also be rated from 1 (not all prepared) to 5 (very prepared). The response rate was 77.4 percent, with a mean age of 29.3 years. Items with the highest mean scores were taking an adequate medical history (4.49), recognizing and treating dental caries (4.46), oral examination (4.36), and giving dental health education (4.35). Those with the lowest rating were designing and undertaking clinical research (2.29), dealing with practice management issues (2.52), designing and delivering crown and bridge work (3.33), and recognizing pathologic occlusions (3.33). Overall preparedness for practice was rated four competencies significantly higher than males. Graduates exposed to the new curriculum perceived greater overall preparedness for general dental practice, suggesting the change to a competency-based curriculum was effective (AU)