The white paper defines the scale of the global burden of endodontic disease and proposes patient-centred solutions to improve endodontic health. The paper was published as part of FDI’s Endodontics in General Practice initiative, supported by Dentsply Sirona.

Rather than focusing purely on the roots of the tooth, this paper calls for endodontic care to address a broader set of health outcomes that directly affect the patient, including tooth retention and impact on overall health. Patients are concerned with eliminating pain and keeping the affected tooth healthy and strong over the long term. Considering the patient’s perspective in the provision of endodontic care has significant implications for existing treatment guidelines.

FDI President Dr Kathryn Kell said: “A comprehensive approach to endodontic care puts the patient first. We need to shift away from treatment outcomes that focus solely on technical goals and clinical symptoms after treatment and take a closer look at how we can deliver better care to our patients.”

The paper summarises results of a survey completed by FDI member NDAs to identify obstacles to providing endodontic care. Members reported that limited access to care is an ongoing challenge in many countries, and the misconception of endodontics as a complex or painful procedure frequently deters patients from seeking treatment.

“Untreated endodontic conditions can drastically affect one’s quality of life, causing cranio-facial pain, difficulty chewing, and trouble sleeping. We are proud to support FDI’s work to actively address these challenges and propose tangible solutions to improve endodontic health worldwide,” commented Dr Terri Dolan, Vice President and Chief Clinical Officer at Dentsply Sirona.

The report, titled "White Paper on Endodontic Care", was published on the FDI website on 11 March 2019.

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