title: How tough is that root canal?
abstract: It is not uncommon to be faced with difficult treatment planning decisions when a patient presents with an endodontic problem during a routine day in the practice of general dentistry. Signs and symptoms of pulpal or periapical disease dictate the need for decision-making, and frequently the result of that decision is magnified by the patient experiencing severe pain. Our purpose is to present a link between case selection based on risk factors and the self-assessment of the dentist regarding his or her ability or motivation to treat a given case.
authors.affiliation: Louisiana State University School of Dentistry, Baton Rouge, USA.
authors.forename: R R
authors.initials: RR
authors.lastname: Lemon
authors.forename: D E
authors.initials: DE
authors.lastname: Simon
mesh_terms: D001291:Attitude of Health Personnel; D002983:Clinical Competence; D003657:Decision Making; D003788:Dental Pulp Diseases / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000628:therapy; D003815:Dentists / Q000523:psychology*; D005792:General Practice, Dental; D006801:Humans; D019239:Practice Patterns, Dentists'; D012017:Referral and Consultation; D012307:Risk Factors; D012390:Root Canal Therapy; D012649:Self Concept; D012647:Self-Assessment