Differences in clinical decision making: a comparison between specialists and general dentists.

OBJECTIVE

The aim of this study was to compare clinical decision making choices of general dentists, prosthodontists, endodontists, oral surgeons,and periodontists when presented with endodontics-related patient scenarios.

STUDY

DESIGN

A survey instrument with 5 patient scenarios was mailed to 1,250 randomly selected dentists, 250 in each group noted above. The participants were asked to choose from different treatment options and to assess the difficulty of making their choice. The answers were analyzed to identify differences in clinical decision making between groups.

RESULTS

A total of 293 surveys were returned, for an overall response rate of 23.4%. Significant differences in treatment planning decisions between the 5 groups were found. Practitioners expressed more difficulty and more variation in making treatment recommendations in cases involving previously endodontically treated teeth than initial treatment scenarios.

CONCLUSIONS

Dental specialty status has a significant influence on a clinician's recommendation to perform root canal therapy or extract a tooth.