Endodontic patient profile of Hacettepe University, Faculty of Dentistry in Ankara, Turkey

Abstract

Aim: To assess previous patient experience of endodontic treatment and to quantify their satisfaction with the endodontic treatment provided in a dental school clinic. Design: Self-completed questionnaire. Setting: Hacettepe University, Faculty of Dentistry, Department of Endodontics, Ankara, Turkey. Participants: 200 randomly selected, scheduled non-emergency patients in good health and older than 11 years who were to be treated by undergraduate, graduate students and academics. Main outcome measures: Patient satisfaction and attitudes to root canal therapy. Results: 96 per cent of patients, regardless their level of education, age and sex, reported that they expected RCT would save their teeth. 15 per cent of the patients were in favour of extraction versus RCT before the therapy, but this reduced to only 2.5 per cent post treatment. 82 per cent of patients reported that they were satisfied with their treatment and the clinic. Conclusions: Increasing public knowledge of and interest in endodontic treatment indicates that the need for an increase in teaching of the subject and associated resources will be required. © 2000 FDI/World Dental Press.