Exploring patients’ perceptions of root canal treatment
Research type
Research Study
Full title
Exploring patients’ perceptions of and decisions to undergo root canal treatment.
IRAS ID
183521
Contact name
Yuan-Ling Ng
Contact email
Sponsor organisation
UCL
Clinicaltrials.gov Identifier
Z6364106/2015/06/02, Data protection registration
Duration of Study in the UK
0 years, 6 months, 31 days
Research summary
The pulp tissue is contained in an internal hollow space inside a tooth, the root canal system. When diseased, the pulp can die, with consequent bacterial infection. This can manifest in a variety of ways ranging from an absence of pain or problems at one extreme, to unbearable pain and facial swelling at the other. In order to treat this infection, root canal treatment (to save the tooth) or extraction (removal) of the tooth is indicated; the other option being no treatment and active monitoring if symptoms allow.
The decision of which option to undertake is shared between the dentist and the patient. Whilst much has been reported about factors which may impact on a dentist's decision, we know that patients’ values of treatment outcomes can differ from those of clinicians. There is a scarcity of information available in the dental literature about patients’ concerns and the influences of these on their decision to undergo a particular treatment. The aims of this study are, therefore, to explore perceptions of root canal treatment and reasons for selecting this treatment option, amongst patients accepted for root canal treatment in the Department of Endodontics, Eastman Dental Hospital, London, UK.
Patients referred to the Department of Endodontics, Eastman Dental Hospital, London, UK , who decide to undergo root canal treatment (following an assessment on consultant clinic) and fulfil the inclusion criteria, will be invited to participate by the clinician assessing the patient. All patients who volunteer to participate will be given a questionnaire to complete which will explore the factors influencing their decision to undergo root canal treatment and their perceptions of this treatment.
The findings will be analysed to identify factors which are important to patients when making this decision, perceptions they have about the treatment and the reasons for these.REC name
West Midlands - Coventry & Warwickshire Research Ethics Committee
REC reference
15/WM/0232
Date of REC Opinion
30 Jun 2015
REC opinion
Favourable Opinion