During its fifth annual Root Canal Awareness Week, March 27 through April 2, the American Association of Endodontists (AAE) will reach out to the public to help dispel the notion that root canals are painful, as well as recognize the importance of endodontists and general dentists as partners in patient care.
The AAE offers various clinical resources for use by endodontists and general practitioners. By using these tools during Root Canal Awareness Week and throughout the year, general dentists ensure they are developing the best treatment plans to save natural teeth, the AAE said.
For example, the AAE video, "Endodontists: Partners in Patient Care," features general dentists expressing the positive relationship they share with their referring endodontists. It is intended to be a resource for dentists to show their patients when a referral to a specialist is needed, according the AAE.
And the recently released "Treatment Options for the Compromised Tooth: A Decision Guide" helps clinicians evaluate a patient's condition and develop a treatment plan to save the natural tooth, the AAE said. The guide gives case examples with radiographs of successful endodontic treatment in difficult cases and is designed to encourage general dentists to assess all possible endodontic treatment options before recommending extraction.
To help promote Root Canal Awareness Week, the AAE is offering dentists a printable poster to share in their offices and community centers.
