FDs' competence | British Dental Journal

Sir, a survey was sent to foundation dentists (FDs) across South Yorkshire on endodontic working length determination (EWLD). Despite only recently graduating, 41% of the 29 FDs in the

survey had already changed their approach to WLD; 31% always obtained a working length radiograph, while 69% always obtained a master GP radiograph. Despite electronic apex locators (EAL)

being considered by many to be an essential part of the modern endodontic armamentarium, providing greater accuracies, only 21 foundation dentists always used one.1 Factors limiting EAL

performance include the type and amount of irrigant,2 file size3 and apical foramen size.4 Respondents indicated a lack of awareness regarding these factors: 34.5% were not aware of the

influence of file size; 44.8% did not understand the influence of the type and amount of irrigant; and 55.2% were not aware of how apical foramen size can affect EAL performance. Mixed

responses concerned how the FDs portrayed their experiences regarding teaching/training on how to use EALs. Thirteen (44.8%) considered their education as average, ten (34.5%) above average,

four (13.8%) below average and just two (6.9%) as excellent. In support of the above results, a large majority (79.3%) felt further teaching on EAL use would be very beneficial; 17.2% of

limited benefit; 3.4% of no benefit. It appears that FDs would embrace further education on the general topic of EWLD, with the majority (79.3%) finding this proposition very beneficial and

the remaining 20.7% suggesting additional teaching to be of limited benefit. My results highlight that FDs clearly appreciate the deficiencies in their knowledge and appear open to the idea

of additional endodontic teaching. However, we must pinpoint why many (58.6%) regarded their previous teaching/training as average or below average. In doing so we can prevent recurrence,

guaranteeing both a better use of resources and maximising the learning potential for our young dental professionals. REFERENCES * Mandlik J, Shah N, Pawar K, Gupta P, Singh S, Shaik S A. An

in vivo evaluation of different methods of working length determination. _J Contemp Dent Pract_ 2013; 14: 644. * Tsesis I, Blazer T, Ben-Izhack G _et al._ The precision of electronic apex

locators in working length determination: a systematic review and meta-analysis of the literature. _J Endod_ 2015; 41: 1818-1823. * Orosco F A, da Silva G F, Weckwerth P H _et al._ Influence

of different sized files on the accuracy of two electronic apex locators. _Aust Endod J_ 2018; 44: 251-254. * Kolanu S K, Bolla N, Varri S, Thummu J, Vemuri S, Mandava P. Evaluation of

correlation between apical diameter and file size using Propex Pixi apex locator. _J Clin Diag Res_ 2014; 8: 18-20. Download references AUTHOR INFORMATION AUTHORS AND AFFILIATIONS * By

email, Sheffield, UK W. Thorley Authors * W. Thorley View author publications You can also search for this author inPubMed Google Scholar RIGHTS AND PERMISSIONS Reprints and permissions

ABOUT THIS ARTICLE CITE THIS ARTICLE Thorley, W. FDs' competence. _Br Dent J_ 229, 400 (2020). https://doi.org/10.1038/s41415-020-2245-8 Download citation * Published: 09 October 2020 *

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