Radiographic evaluation of the technical quality of undergraduate endodontic 'competence' cases in the Dublin Dental University Hospital: an audit.

PURPOSE The aim of this audit was to evaluate the technical quality of undergraduate de novo endodontic competence cases in the Dublin Dental University Hospital (DDUH) compared to European standards. MATERIALS AND METHODS A radiographic analysis of the number of canals in student 'competence' cases (completed 2009-2010) that met the accepted technical criteria for an ideal root canal treatment was carried out. The benchmark was formulated using accepted European guidelines. Several technical factors were analysed including the apical extent of obturation (within 2mm of radiographic apex), the presence of voids, technical errors and the presence of untreated roots. One hundred and nineteen root canals were initially selected in 78 teeth; however, five teeth were excluded from analysis as the postoperative radiograph was either missing or not diagnostic. RESULTS Single-rooted teeth demonstrated voids in 36% of root fillings, and 69% were filled to within 2mm of the apex and there were no detectable technical deficiencies. Multi-rooted teeth demonstrated voids in 38% of root fillings; 60% were filled to within 2mm and 94% of canals demonstrated no deviation from the original canal. Combined results demonstrated that 49% of all the single-rooted teeth and 17% of all the multi-rooted teeth were acceptable within the technical parameters identified in the guidelines. CONCLUSIONS Analysis of individual technical criteria revealed areas in which the quality was acceptable and others in which it could be improved. Although the overall results appeared poor, they were similar to previous studies of the technical quality of undergraduate root canal treatment.