Pediatric Dentists’ Practice Patterns in the Management of Permanent Teeth Needing Endodontic Treatment
<b>Background/Objectives</b>: The objective of this study was to evaluate practice patterns among pediatric dentists for the management of permanent teeth needing endodontic treatment. <b>Methods</b>: An electronic nationwide survey was sent to all members of the American Aca...
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MDPI AG
2025-04-01
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| Series: | Dentistry Journal |
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| Online Access: | https://www.mdpi.com/2304-6767/13/5/191 |
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| author | Nuha Ashraf Linda Sangalli Jackson Seagroves Caroline M. Sawicki |
| author_facet | Nuha Ashraf Linda Sangalli Jackson Seagroves Caroline M. Sawicki |
| author_sort | Nuha Ashraf |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | <b>Background/Objectives</b>: The objective of this study was to evaluate practice patterns among pediatric dentists for the management of permanent teeth needing endodontic treatment. <b>Methods</b>: An electronic nationwide survey was sent to all members of the American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry (AAPD). The survey assessed provider training on and confidence (0–100, with 100 = “most confident”) in treating pediatric patients needing endodontic treatment on permanent teeth, referral patterns, and preferred educational resources. A logistic regression identified significant predictors of confidence levels. <b>Results:</b> The final sample included 259 respondents, with 71% having over 10 years of experience in practice. A total of 47% of respondents reported performing endodontic treatments on permanent teeth in pediatric patients, with direct pulp capping (70%) and partial or full pulpotomy (62%) being the most common procedures. Although the respondents moderately agreed (53 ± 32) that they received sufficient training during their residency to perform endodontic treatment on permanent teeth, their reported comfort levels with performing these procedures were low (0.001 ± 33). The adequacy of the training received during their residency was identified as a significant predictor of a higher level of confidence (<i>p</i> < 0.001, 95% CI 0.437, 0.667). The respondents highlighted additional continuing education courses and training, dedicated lectures at the AAPD Annual Session, and annual joint symposia or meetings between the AAPD and the American Association of Endodontists as the most valuable educational resources for the endodontic management of permanent teeth in pediatric patients. <b>Conclusions</b>: The findings suggest that enhancing residency training and expanding access to targeted continuing education opportunities are critical for improving pediatric dentists’ confidence and competence in the endodontic management of permanent teeth in pediatric patients. |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj-art-83f3806d95a947c69166310b923330d4 |
| institution | DOAJ |
| issn | 2304-6767 |
| language | English |
| publishDate | 2025-04-01 |
| publisher | MDPI AG |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Dentistry Journal |
| spelling | doaj-art-83f3806d95a947c69166310b923330d42025-08-20T03:14:36ZengMDPI AGDentistry Journal2304-67672025-04-0113519110.3390/dj13050191Pediatric Dentists’ Practice Patterns in the Management of Permanent Teeth Needing Endodontic TreatmentNuha Ashraf0Linda Sangalli1Jackson Seagroves2Caroline M. Sawicki3Department of Pediatric Dentistry and Dental Public Health, Adams School of Dentistry, Chapel Hill, NC 27517, USACollege of Dental Medicine–Illinois, Midwestern University, Downers Grove, IL 60515, USADepartment of Periodontology, Endodontics, and Dental Hygiene, Adams School of Dentistry, Chapel Hill, NC 27517, USADepartment of Pediatric Dentistry and Dental Public Health, Adams School of Dentistry, Chapel Hill, NC 27517, USA<b>Background/Objectives</b>: The objective of this study was to evaluate practice patterns among pediatric dentists for the management of permanent teeth needing endodontic treatment. <b>Methods</b>: An electronic nationwide survey was sent to all members of the American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry (AAPD). The survey assessed provider training on and confidence (0–100, with 100 = “most confident”) in treating pediatric patients needing endodontic treatment on permanent teeth, referral patterns, and preferred educational resources. A logistic regression identified significant predictors of confidence levels. <b>Results:</b> The final sample included 259 respondents, with 71% having over 10 years of experience in practice. A total of 47% of respondents reported performing endodontic treatments on permanent teeth in pediatric patients, with direct pulp capping (70%) and partial or full pulpotomy (62%) being the most common procedures. Although the respondents moderately agreed (53 ± 32) that they received sufficient training during their residency to perform endodontic treatment on permanent teeth, their reported comfort levels with performing these procedures were low (0.001 ± 33). The adequacy of the training received during their residency was identified as a significant predictor of a higher level of confidence (<i>p</i> < 0.001, 95% CI 0.437, 0.667). The respondents highlighted additional continuing education courses and training, dedicated lectures at the AAPD Annual Session, and annual joint symposia or meetings between the AAPD and the American Association of Endodontists as the most valuable educational resources for the endodontic management of permanent teeth in pediatric patients. <b>Conclusions</b>: The findings suggest that enhancing residency training and expanding access to targeted continuing education opportunities are critical for improving pediatric dentists’ confidence and competence in the endodontic management of permanent teeth in pediatric patients.https://www.mdpi.com/2304-6767/13/5/191dental educationendodonticspediatric dentistry |
| spellingShingle | Nuha Ashraf Linda Sangalli Jackson Seagroves Caroline M. Sawicki Pediatric Dentists’ Practice Patterns in the Management of Permanent Teeth Needing Endodontic Treatment Dentistry Journal dental education endodontics pediatric dentistry |
| title | Pediatric Dentists’ Practice Patterns in the Management of Permanent Teeth Needing Endodontic Treatment |
| title_full | Pediatric Dentists’ Practice Patterns in the Management of Permanent Teeth Needing Endodontic Treatment |
| title_fullStr | Pediatric Dentists’ Practice Patterns in the Management of Permanent Teeth Needing Endodontic Treatment |
| title_full_unstemmed | Pediatric Dentists’ Practice Patterns in the Management of Permanent Teeth Needing Endodontic Treatment |
| title_short | Pediatric Dentists’ Practice Patterns in the Management of Permanent Teeth Needing Endodontic Treatment |
| title_sort | pediatric dentists practice patterns in the management of permanent teeth needing endodontic treatment |
| topic | dental education endodontics pediatric dentistry |
| url | https://www.mdpi.com/2304-6767/13/5/191 |
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