title: Are clinical decisions in endodontics influenced by the patient's fee-paying status?
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  We explored whether the fee status of a UK patient influences clinical decision-making in endodontics.
  
  
  METHODS
  In a randomised-controlled vignette study describing either an 'NHS-funded', 'Privately-funded' or undisclosed fee-status patient, we examined the importance vocational trainer dentists placed on a series of factors normally considered when deciding whether to offer patients endodontic treatment as opposed to extracting the tooth. N = 119 experienced (M years post qualification = 20.01) dentists participated.
  
  
  METHODS
  Having read a vignette describing a hypothetical patient who could potentially be treated either endodontically or through an extraction, dentists rated a series of factors they would normally consider (for example, poor oral hygiene, the rest of their mouth is unfilled and caries-free), before recommending either endodontic treatment or an extraction.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The patient's funding status had no influence on these dentists' clinical decision-making when considering endodontic treatment as an option (p >0.05) with the exception of a single item relating to infrequent attendance where the NHS patient was more likely than the 'undisclosed-fee' patient, to be offered extractions (F (2, 116) 3.43, p <0.04).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  We have found no strong evidence to suggest that the fee-status of a patient influences clinical decision-making in endodontic treatment by experienced dentists.
authors.affiliation: Unit of Distance Learning, Guy's Hospital, Guy's Tower, Floor 18, Great Maze Pond, London, SE1 9RW.
authors.forename: I
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Walker
authors.affiliation: Unit of Distance Learning, Guy's Hospital, Guy's Tower, Floor 18, Great Maze Pond, London, SE1 9RW.
authors.forename: D
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Gilbert
authors.affiliation: Social and Behavioural Sciences Group, Division of Population and Patient Health, Guy's Hospital, Guy's Tower, Floor 18, Great Maze Pond, London, SE1 9RW.
authors.forename: K
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Asimakopoulou
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000066491:Clinical Decision-Making; D003788:Dental Pulp Diseases / Q000191:economics / Q000601:surgery; D004708:Endodontics / Q000191:economics; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007347:Insurance, Dental; D008297:Male; D013222:State Medicine; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D014081:Tooth Extraction / Q000191:economics; D006113:United Kingdom