Patients' Attitudes, Experiences and Awareness Regarding Endodontic Therapy

Abstract

Objectives: The aim of this study is to evaluate patients' awareness  and the key factors affecting decisions on tooth preservation.

Material and methods: This study was conducted through an anonymous survey of 237 patients who visited the Department and Clinic for Dental Pathology and Endodontics  at the  Faculty of Dentistry, University of Sarajevo. Participant were informed about the purpose of the research and informed consent was obtained from each participant. General demographic data on gender, age and education were collected, followed by their attitudes, experiences and knowledge regarding endodontic treatment.

Results: A total of 236 valid responses were analyzed.The majority of respondents (53.2%) assessed their knowledge as „moderate/average“ and also cited 'the dentist' as their primary source of information (81.8%). Our survey revealed that respondents distinguish a broader spectrum of symptoms that indicate the need for root canal treatment (RCT) rather than just spontaneous toothache. In terms of treatment outcomes, majority (86%) recognized RCT as an effective tooth-saving method. Local anesthesia was highly demanded, with 56.2% of patients exclusively insisting on a pain-free procedure. In selecting a dental clinic, respondents primarily value clinical expertise and experience (68.6%), followed by staff friendliness and service quality (44.9%) while financial costs did not affect the priority of tooth preservation for the majority of patients (50.9%).

Conclusion: Our research demonstrates significant progress in patient awareness and perception of endodontic therapy. Furthermore, as dental knowledge is more accessible than ever, patients must be educated to view the dentist as their primary and most reliable resource. Ultimately, establishing mutual trust between the patient and the dentist remains the foundation of successful therapy.