O-5 - Patient-centered Outcomes in Endodontics: Pragmatic or Unrealistic?

We have long acknowledged that the prevention/healing of apical periodontitis is the ultimate indicator of successful root canal treatment. Indeed, guidelines and recommendations for re-intervention are based on signs of radiographic healing of periradicular lesions. However, how does this matter to the patient? Pain and discomfort arising from endodontic diseases have long been considered in diagnosis and treatment planning. Arguably, the impact and consequence of these symptoms on the oral health-related quality of life (OHRQoL) or daily living is imperative in understanding disease burden and ultimately in determining the benefit that our care gives to the patients. The question is, “Do endodontic diseases worsen the OHRQoL?” and notably, “Does endodontic treatment improve the OHRQoL?” This presentation will review the literature on the impact of endodontic diseases and treatments on the quality of life, systematically dissect the literature that has evaluated QoL after non-surgical and surgical endodontic treatment, including retreatment and offer suggestions on methodological issues in performing studies on patient-reported outcome measures.