Root Canals Not So Scary? New Research Could Help Endodontic Patients Complete Treatment

      Patient follow-through can present one of the most difficult aspects of endodontic  practice. As your endodontic billing specialist, SB Dental Solutions Dental Billing  company shares our clients’ concerns regarding incomplete planned treatments. In  many cases, fear accounts for the lack of patient follow-through. After all, root canals  are one of the most common phobias in the United States. However, research into  endodontic treatment now suggests that root canal work isn't as scary as it seems.  
     According to a study from the University of Adelaide, when researchers surveyed over  one thousand randomly selected dental patients, “Patients who had root canal work  reported similar oral health-related quality of life as people who had other types of  dental work.”  
     The study compared root canals to other treatments, such as tooth extraction,  restorations, repairs, gum treatment, and cleanings. Not only did root canals prove no  worse in terms of pain during treatment and recovery, but patients benefited from the  endodontic interventions as they cured the pain of dental infection.  
    Hopefully, endodontists will find these results helpful in encouraging their fearful patients  to complete needed treatment. Rossi-Fedele, Professor at the Adelaide school of  dentistry and co-author of the study emphasizes the importance of considering patient  perspectives in dentistry, saying: 
     “Treatment outcomes need to be re-examined from a patient-based perspective using  self-reported measures as this more accurately reflects the patients' perception of  treatment outcomes and the effect it has on their overall well-being.  
      "Patient-reported treatment outcomes are now the principal driving force behind  treatment needs, as opposed to clinician-based treatment outcomes.  
     "With this change in emphasis, the perspectives of patients and their relatives are  important factors in identifying need for treatment, treatment planning, and determining  outcomes from any health care intervention as part of shared decision making.”  
     By listening to patient perspectives, fears, and feedback, endodontists will see better  patient follow-through and higher patient satisfaction. Better follow-through and  satisfaction will allow endodontists to bill more complete root canals, improve their  revenue, and reap the rewards of specialized endodontic billing assistance.