A comparison of endodontic registrar training experience with treatments provided by private practice endodontists

The primary aim was to compare cases seen by public endodontic clinicians (endodontists and endodontic registrars) to that of private endodontists. This was done by comparing item numbers charged over a 3-year period from 1 January 2016 to 1 January 2019 from both sectors. The secondary aim was to compare item numbers charged by endodontic registrars during their training as recorded by their submitted logbooks to that of private endodontists. In both comparisons, private endodontists recorded higher numbers of many item numbers including consultations, routine root canal treatment, removal of posts and broken instruments. Endodontic registrar logbooks also recorded fewer numbers compared to private endodontists, however, the frequency of more invasive procedures such as surgery and hemisection were similar.

Automated summary

The main objective of this study was to compare cases seen by public endodontic clinicians with those of private endodontists. This was done by comparing the item numbers charged over a 3-year period in both sectors. The secondary objective was to compare the item numbers charged by endodontic registrars during their training with those of private endodontists. Private endodontists recorded higher numbers of many item numbers, while endodontic registrars recorded fewer numbers but similar frequency of more invasive procedures.