Circumstances behind the use of Cone Beam Computed Tomography for endodontic reasons in Sweden from the perspective of the referring dentist

• Aim: To study the circumstances preceding the CBCT examination referral for endodontic reasons in Sweden. Methodology: Fourteen dentists (8 female) 33–58 years of age (mean =44), practicing in Sweden were strategically selected. Ten of the dentists were specialists in endodontics. The absolute inclusion criterion was experience of referring patients for CBCT for endodontic reasons. The included dentists provided a variation concerning gender, age, work experience, education background, location of practice, service affiliation and accessibility to CBCT. Data was obtained through thematic, semi-structured interviews exposing the context of their last self-reported three referrals. Dentists were encouraged to describe their experiences of the circumstances in their own words, aided by the interviewer’s openended questions. The interviews were audio recorded and transcribed verbatim. Qualitative content analysis was used to analyze the text. Results: The preliminary results may indicate that high clinical diagnostic standards, clinical common sense and a willingness of helping the patient with minimal harm may restrict the use of CBCT to address complex diagnostic judgements or therapeutic decisions, which comply with existing European guidelines on the use of CBCT in endodontics. Knowledge of guidelines was however limited among the interviewed dentists. Conclusions: Common sense and high professional standards seem to lead dentists in Sweden to comply with current European guidelines for the use of CBCT in endodontics even when the den tists lack knowledge of the guidelines. Acknowledgements: This work is funded by the Norrbotten County Council.

Ämnesord

MEDICIN OCH HÄLSOVETENSKAP  -- Klinisk medicin -- Odontologi (hsv//swe)

MEDICAL AND HEALTH SCIENCES  -- Clinical Medicine -- Dentistry (hsv//eng)

Publikations- och innehållstyp

vet (ämneskategori)

art (ämneskategori)