TY - JOUR
T1 - Predoctoral Endodontic Education and Training in the United States and Canadian Dental Schools
T2 - A Web-Based Survey
AU - Falcon, Carla Y.
AU - Dunlap, Craig A.
AU - Youssef, Summer
N1 - Publisher Copyright: © 2025 American Association of Endodontists.
PY - 2025
Y1 - 2025
N2 - Objective(s) This study aimed to evaluate endodontic education and training across United States (U.S.) and Canadian dental schools. It investigated clinical practices, curriculum structure, competency assessment methods, and program challenges in order to provide insights into improving endodontic competency among dental school graduates. Methods A comprehensive survey was electronically distributed to predoctoral program directors from accredited dental schools in the U.S. and Canada. The survey captured data on program characteristics, competency certification, and integration of advanced technologies. Data were evaluated and the significance level was set at P < .05. Results Of the 87 program directors contacted, 48 responded (response rate: 58.54%). The survey revealed variability in clinical endodontic requirements, with a mean of 4.59 root canal treatments or 4.5 canals completed per student. Nearly one-third of schools reported insufficient patient pools, with 71.43% substituting simulation exercises for clinical experience. Most programs (86.05%) used extracted teeth for training, and 42.86% permitted students to treat routine second molars. Certification methods varied, with 29.27% emphasizing live patient experiences. Notably, 54.76% of directors were uncertain about their graduates’ competence to perform molar endodontics in private practice. Conclusion Endodontic education in the U.S. and Canada exhibits significant variability, with patient access being a key factor influencing training quality. Simulation exercises help mitigate some challenges, but their use raises concerns about the adequacy of clinical preparedness. Standardizing clinical requirements, improving patient access, and increasing integration of advanced resources could enhance educational outcomes.
AB - Objective(s) This study aimed to evaluate endodontic education and training across United States (U.S.) and Canadian dental schools. It investigated clinical practices, curriculum structure, competency assessment methods, and program challenges in order to provide insights into improving endodontic competency among dental school graduates. Methods A comprehensive survey was electronically distributed to predoctoral program directors from accredited dental schools in the U.S. and Canada. The survey captured data on program characteristics, competency certification, and integration of advanced technologies. Data were evaluated and the significance level was set at P < .05. Results Of the 87 program directors contacted, 48 responded (response rate: 58.54%). The survey revealed variability in clinical endodontic requirements, with a mean of 4.59 root canal treatments or 4.5 canals completed per student. Nearly one-third of schools reported insufficient patient pools, with 71.43% substituting simulation exercises for clinical experience. Most programs (86.05%) used extracted teeth for training, and 42.86% permitted students to treat routine second molars. Certification methods varied, with 29.27% emphasizing live patient experiences. Notably, 54.76% of directors were uncertain about their graduates’ competence to perform molar endodontics in private practice. Conclusion Endodontic education in the U.S. and Canada exhibits significant variability, with patient access being a key factor influencing training quality. Simulation exercises help mitigate some challenges, but their use raises concerns about the adequacy of clinical preparedness. Standardizing clinical requirements, improving patient access, and increasing integration of advanced resources could enhance educational outcomes.
KW - clinical competency
KW - endodontic training
KW - Predoctoral dental education
KW - root canal therapy
UR - https://www.scopus.com/pages/publications/105024965455
UR - https://www.scopus.com/pages/publications/105024965455#tab=citedBy
U2 - 10.1016/j.joen.2025.09.021
DO - 10.1016/j.joen.2025.09.021
M3 - Article
C2 - 41072907
SN - 0099-2399
JO - Journal of Endodontics
JF - Journal of Endodontics
ER -