title: A Survey over the Dentists' and Endodntists' Approaches towards the Management of Endodontic Emergencies in Mashhad, Iran.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Pain or swelling caused by various stages of inflammation/infection of the pulp/periradicular area is among endodontic emergencies. Determining the most effective method of emergency treatment is a challenging issue in endodontics. The goal of this study was to determine and compare the level of knowledge in general dentists and endodontists about endodontic emergency treatment plan in Mashhad, Iran in 2012-2013.
  
  
  METHODS
  In this cross-sectional descriptive study, 152 questionnaires were distributed among 120 general dentists and 32 endodontists of Mashhad. The questionnaire contained two separate parts. The first part included demographic information and in the second part different treatment protocols were suggested for 12 various conditions of pulp/periapical emergencies, and the participants were asked to choose the correct option(s). To determine the relationship between qualitative variables, the chi-square analysis was used. The level of significance was set at 0.05.
  
  
  RESULTS
  There were significant differences between treatment plans presented by general dentists and endodontists about endodontic emergencies, especially in cases of necrotic pulp and subsequent swelling.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Level of knowledge of dentists about the indications of incision and drainage, intra-canal medicament, root filing beyond the apical foramen and antibiotic prescription was not enough. These findings highlight the importance of refreshing courses for general dentists to improve their competency in the management of endodontic emergencies.
authors.affiliation: Dental Research Center, Dental School, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran;
authors.forename: Maryam
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Bidar
authors.affiliation: Dental Research Center, Dental School, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran;
authors.forename: Maryam
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Gharechahi
authors.affiliation: Dentist, Mashhad, Iran.
authors.forename: Tayebeh
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Soleimani
authors.affiliation: Dental Research Center, Dental School, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran;
authors.forename: Neda
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Eslami
keywords: Emergency; Endodontics; Endodontists; Flare Up; General Dentists; Level of Knowledge