title: The Landscape of Predoctoral Endodontic Education in the United States and Canada: Results of a Survey.
abstract: Few recent surveys have examined the contemporary landscape of predoctoral endodontic education in the United States and Canada, but anecdotal reports suggest that current dental students have difficulty obtaining adequate clinical endodontic experiences. The aims of this study were to quantify the clinical endodontic experiences of current U.S. and Canadian dental students, to explore the issues surrounding their clinical endodontic competence, and to ask more broadly if current graduating dentists are competent to perform endodontic procedures. In August 2014, a hyperlink to a web-based survey with 27 questions was emailed to the 67 predoctoral endodontic directors of U.S. and Canadian dental schools using a list provided by the American Association of Endodontists. Out of these 67 possible participants, 40 responded, for a response rate of 60%. The findings were varied. The average 2014 graduate completed 5.9 (± 2.4) root canal treatments on live patients, and 69% of the respondents voiced concern regarding a shortage of patient experiences. A majority (59%) of the respondents reported thinking that the supply of endodontic patients has decreased and that students have an inadequate supply of endodontic patients. This study found that a clear majority of predoctoral endodontics directors perceived a shortage of patient experiences for their students although, in reality, the number of completed clinical cases appeared to be unchanged since 1975. In addition, 36% of the respondents reported feeling that their 2014 graduates were not competent to perform molar endodontic treatment in their practices.
authors.affiliation: Dr. Woodmansey was Associate Professor, Department of Endodontics, Texas A&M University Baylor College of Dentistry at the time of this study and is currently Associate Professor and Endodontic Program Director, Center for Advanced Dental Education, Saint Louis University; Dr. Beck is Dean and Professor, Gladys L. Benerd School of Education, University of the Pacific; and Dr. Rodriguez is Vice President for Education, Academy for Academic Leadership (AAL). woodmanseykf@slu.edu.
authors.forename: Karl
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Woodmansey
authors.affiliation: Dr. Woodmansey was Associate Professor, Department of Endodontics, Texas A&M University Baylor College of Dentistry at the time of this study and is currently Associate Professor and Endodontic Program Director, Center for Advanced Dental Education, Saint Louis University; Dr. Beck is Dean and Professor, Gladys L. Benerd School of Education, University of the Pacific; and Dr. Rodriguez is Vice President for Education, Academy for Academic Leadership (AAL).
authors.forename: Lynn G
authors.initials: LG
authors.lastname: Beck
authors.affiliation: Dr. Woodmansey was Associate Professor, Department of Endodontics, Texas A&M University Baylor College of Dentistry at the time of this study and is currently Associate Professor and Endodontic Program Director, Center for Advanced Dental Education, Saint Louis University; Dr. Beck is Dean and Professor, Gladys L. Benerd School of Education, University of the Pacific; and Dr. Rodriguez is Vice President for Education, Academy for Academic Leadership (AAL).
authors.forename: Tobias E
authors.initials: TE
authors.lastname: Rodriguez
mesh_terms: D002170:Canada; D002983:Clinical Competence; D003162:Competency-Based Education; D004497:Education, Dental; D004708:Endodontics / Q000193:education*; D005179:Faculty, Dental; D006801:Humans; D010361:Patients / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D012390:Root Canal Therapy / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D012575:Schools, Dental; D013335:Students, Dental; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D014481:United States
keywords: clinical education; competency-based education; dental education; endodontics