CHICAGO, Ill., USA: During its seventh annual Root Canal Awareness Week, to be held March 17-23, the American Association of Endodontists (AAE) wants to dispel myths surrounding root canal treatment and encourage general dentists to involve endodontists in case assessment and treatment planning to save patients’ natural teeth.

“Ninety-four percent of general practitioners agree that endodontists are partners in delivering quality dental care,” said AAE President Dr. James C. Kulild. “By working together, general dentists and endodontists can treat patients comfortably and save their natural teeth”

Endodontists’ enhanced training, combined with high levels of expertise, use of cutting-edge technology and impressive success rates are the main reasons patients trust dental specialists, according to the AAE survey. By partnering with endodontists, general dentists can help patients feel less anxious while delivering the highest quality of care. In fact, 89 percent of patients report being satisfied after root canal treatment by an endodontist.

To encourage collaboration between general dentists and endodontists, the AAE has several free resources available for download from its website:

• Treatment Options for the Compromised Tooth: A Decision Guide includes case examples with radiographs of successful endodontic treatment in difficult cases and encourages general dentists to assess all possible endodontic treatment options to save the natural detention.
• The Case Difficulty Assessment and Referral Form offers guidance to help evaluate a patient’s condition and assess risk factors that may affect the outcome of treatment.
• The ENDODONTICS: Colleagues for Excellence newsletter highlights clinical topics of interest to dentists who perform their own endodontic treatment and benefit from coverage of best practices and the latest advancements in the specialty.
• Endodontists: Partners in Patient Care is a video that explains what an endodontist is and how specialists work with general dentists to provide the highest levels of patient care. It is a great resource to show patients when a referral to a specialist is needed.

By using these tools during Root Canal Awareness Week and throughout the year, general dentists ensure they are developing the best treatment plans to save natural teeth and keep patients satisfied. Additional clinical resources are available at www.aae.org/dentalpro.

To help promote Root Canal Awareness Week, dentists can also print an AAE poster to share in offices and clinics. For more information, visit www.aae.org/rcaw, follow the AAE on Twitter at @savingyourteeth or search #rootcanal. You also can contact Meredith Friedman, AAE public relations coordinator, at mfriedman@aae.org.

(Source: AAE)