IADR Abstract Archives
Inter-Appointment Endodontic Emergencies Among Undergraduate Clinical Dental Students: a Descriptive Study of Characteristics and Incidence
Objectives: This study aimed to investigate the characteristics and incidence of Inter-appointment Endodontic Emergencies (IEEs) experienced by patients treated by undergraduate dental students at the University of Jordan Dental Hospital.
Methods: Ethical approval was gained from the University of Jordan Institutional Review Board (IRB no. 236 / 2024). An online survey was developed and piloted. Data collection was completed during the 2023-2024 academic year for 4th and 5th year dental students at the University of Jordan Dental Hospital. This smart survey was designed to adapt to students' responses, with specific sections dedicated to those who had experienced an IEE and those who had not.
Results: A total of 203 students completed the survey, 98 of whom were 4th year students(48.3%) and 105 were 5th year students(51.7%). 48 students(23.6%) reported that their patients experienced an Inter-appointment Endodontic Emergency (IEE). Among the IEE cases, students reported that pre-operative pain was present in 75% of these cases. Regarding the reported types of IEE, 58.3% of cases involved pain without swelling, while 41.7% involved pain with swelling. The most reported diagnosis in these cases was Irreversible Pulpitis with Symptomatic Periapical Periodontitis(33.3%). Additionally, the most common stage at which the IEE occurred was after working length determination(39.58%).
Conclusions: This study provides descriptive data on the characteristics of Inter-appointment Endodontic Emergencies (IEEs) experienced by patients treated by undergraduate dental students during clinical training, Irreversible Pulpitis with Symptomatic Periapical Periodontitis was the most common diagnosis. Notably, pre-operative pain was prevalent in most IEE cases, and these emergencies frequently occurred following working length determination. While no prior reports on IEE incidence in undergraduate clinics were found, the incidence observed here is either slightly higher or at the upper limit of what has been reported in general dental settings. It’s important to acknowledge that the survey-based design of this study might introduce some reporting bias. However, the sample size of 203 students was sufficient to achieve statistical significance.
Methods: Ethical approval was gained from the University of Jordan Institutional Review Board (IRB no. 236 / 2024). An online survey was developed and piloted. Data collection was completed during the 2023-2024 academic year for 4th and 5th year dental students at the University of Jordan Dental Hospital. This smart survey was designed to adapt to students' responses, with specific sections dedicated to those who had experienced an IEE and those who had not.
Results: A total of 203 students completed the survey, 98 of whom were 4th year students(48.3%) and 105 were 5th year students(51.7%). 48 students(23.6%) reported that their patients experienced an Inter-appointment Endodontic Emergency (IEE). Among the IEE cases, students reported that pre-operative pain was present in 75% of these cases. Regarding the reported types of IEE, 58.3% of cases involved pain without swelling, while 41.7% involved pain with swelling. The most reported diagnosis in these cases was Irreversible Pulpitis with Symptomatic Periapical Periodontitis(33.3%). Additionally, the most common stage at which the IEE occurred was after working length determination(39.58%).
Conclusions: This study provides descriptive data on the characteristics of Inter-appointment Endodontic Emergencies (IEEs) experienced by patients treated by undergraduate dental students during clinical training, Irreversible Pulpitis with Symptomatic Periapical Periodontitis was the most common diagnosis. Notably, pre-operative pain was prevalent in most IEE cases, and these emergencies frequently occurred following working length determination. While no prior reports on IEE incidence in undergraduate clinics were found, the incidence observed here is either slightly higher or at the upper limit of what has been reported in general dental settings. It’s important to acknowledge that the survey-based design of this study might introduce some reporting bias. However, the sample size of 203 students was sufficient to achieve statistical significance.