The adoption of new endodontic technology amongst Danish general dental practitioners.
OBJECTIVE
To assess the adoption of new endodontic technology in a population of Danish practitioners.


METHODS
Members of the Copenhagen Dental Association (n = 1156) were approached with a questionnaire concerning the frequency of various endodontic procedures. Three options were available: often, occasionally and never. Responses were anonymous. The statistical analyses were performed as studies of association in two- or three-way contingency tables, and with Goodman-Kruskal's gamma-coefficient as the basic tool chosen.


RESULTS
Only data from general practitioners (GPs) in private practice were analysed (n = 956). The response rate was 72%. NiTi hand instruments were often used to negotiate canals by 18%, whilst 10% often used NiTi rotary systems. Electronic apex locators were often employed by 15%. Nineteen per cent reported that warm gutta-percha was often used. A majority (53%) often spend two sessions to instrument a molar, and 20% often needed three or more sessions to finish the shaping phase. To complete a treatment of a nonvital case most practitioners reported to use at least three appointments. Only 4% frequently applied rubber dam.


CONCLUSIONS
The adoption of new endodontic technology is at an early stage amongst Danish GPs. A new revised remuneration system might influence the rate of adoption, allowing the practitioners to act more rationally and produce a higher frequency of good-quality root fillings. Progress towards high quality endodontics might be hindered by the nonuse of rubber dam.
Bjørndal
L
L
Department of Cariology and Endodontics, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark. lb@odont.ku.dk
Reit
C
C
D003718:Denmark; D004059:Diffusion of Innovation; D004708:Endodontics / Q000295:instrumentation*; D005260:Female; D005792:General Practice, Dental / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D009819:Office Visits / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D019239:Practice Patterns, Dentists' / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D012389:Root Canal Obturation / Q000379:methods; D018915:Root Canal Preparation / Q000295:instrumentation; D016733:Rubber Dams / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D013674:Technology, Dental / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*