Listen, learn, but what next?

The slogan for the Endodontics Masterclass I chaired in 2014 was “Listen, learn and Implement”. We had a fantastic audience who definitely listened and learned. I wonder what they took back and implemented in their practices?

We had outstanding endodontists in the line-up of speakers: Ghassan Yared, Arnaldo Castelluci, Liviu Steier and Martin Trope all pictured above. Each one espoused his own technique and theories in a very detailed and well  argued presentation. All had different canal preparation systems.

Then we had question time when audience members could put their queries to the panel. One dentist confessed to being confused by the different points of view. Having listened to some of the best  known speakers in the world, it was difficult to decide which system to invest in. Another dentist asked: “Bearing in mind how long endodontics has been a field of dentistry, why isn’t there some kind of consensus for this?”

We all agreed it was a sad commentary on the state of research – the problem being that you could not get ethical approval for an RCT  which would involve treating one cohort of patients in a less than satisfactory way. What we need is for all endodontists to work together and for peer-reviewed journals to insist on research which involves hundreds of patients, not just small groups.
And my advice to the delegates at the Endo Masterclass? Read the literature and follow best advice. As dentists you have the professionalism, experience and judgement to decide which system will work best for you and your patients.one cohort of patients in a way which you thought less than satisfactory. What we need is for all endodontists to work together and for peer-reviewed journals to insist on research  which involves hundreds of patients, not just small groups.