Evaluation of Endodontic Treatments Performed by Students in a Brazilian Dental School

Abstract

The aims of this study were to evaluate the clinical outcomes of root canal treatments performed by final-year students in the Dental School of Piracicaba, State University of Campinas, SP, Brazil, during the year 2000 and to evaluate the success rate of these treatments at follow-ups conducted one and three years later (2001-03). All 579 endodontic treatments performed by final-year students were selected for this investigation. Detailed personal and dental history was obtained from the patient's records. Clinical and radiographic follow-up examinations were performed. For 78.8 percent of the cases, dental caries was recorded as the cause for performing endodontic treatment; for 8.8 percent, prosthetic reasons were given; and for 12.4 percent, failure of the endodontic treatment was the reason. The largest percentage (30.7 percent) of recalled patients was examined after one year; the success rate at this follow-up evaluation ranged from 83 percent to 96 percent depending on the pulp status prior to the root canal treatment. After three years, only 8 percent of treated patients returned; assessment for them revealed a 75.5 percent success rate. Dental caries is still the main reason for endodontic treatment. This level of success of the root canal treatment in a Brazilian dental school is similar to other reports in the literature.

Quality of Preclinical and Clinical Root Canal Fillings performed by Undergraduate Students on Single-rooted Teeth

“…These findings demonstrate satisfactory technical performance of the undergraduates, corroborating previous results reported at other dental schools. 4,5 Nevertheless, using criteria similar those adopted herein, several studies 6,10 have shown a poor quality of endodontic fillings performed by undergraduate dental students.…”

“…Considering the clinical results of this study, it can be assumed that the quality rating of the endodontic fillings was high, which is in agreement with previous investigations. 4,5,16 However, there are discrepancies as regards the results found by Eckerbom, 11 whose rates of inadequate fillings ranged from 54 to 62%. This discrepancy can possibly be explained by the fact that the above-mentioned studies evaluated the treatment performed by students under supervised conditions, whereas the others represent general practice.…”

“…This approach favors a critical overview concerning the procedures performed by students and reinforces the concept that assessment of the therapeutic results should be an integral part of the treatment plan. 4,5 In this regard, the RCF quality is essential to estimate the endodontic prognosis, once the major objective of RCF is to prevent reinfection and allow healing of the periapical tissues. 1,3 The radiographical evaluation based on homogeneity and apical length of RCF is the main method that is used to determine the technical standard of endodontic therapy.…”

A Clinical Evaluation on the Tooth Root Canal Treatment for Pulpal Necrosis and Irreversible Pulpitis in Academic Dental Hospital

“…The results of this study were consistent with the research conducted by Quadros et al conducted a clinical and radiographic evaluation of root canal treatment carried out by final-level students of the Dental School of Piracicaba found that the success rate of root canal treatment evaluated ranged from 83% to 96% depending on pulp status before treatment. Pulp status before treatment shows the presence of pain, swelling, sinus tract, radiographic examination of periodontal ligaments occurs (6).…”

Performance e percepções de estudantes de odontologia no preparo de canais: um estudo de métodos mistos

“…3 Some authors have suggested that this gap between research and clinical practice probably reflects the fact that, very often, manual techniques continue to be taught at some dental undergraduate programs. 4 Paradoxically, the well-known limitations of stainless steel hand endodontic instruments may contribute to the technical difficulties faced by students in the academic setting 5 and negatively impact their success rate in treating root canals during their practice both as students 6 and also after graduation 7 .…”