OR15 - Assessing Financial Education Perception in Endodontic Residency and Contemporary Wealth Management Practices within the Endodontic Community

Abstract: Endodontists require a strong foundation in business operations and financial management, yet their education primarily focuses on clinical skills, creating a significant gap in financial literacy. The main purpose of this study was to assess the endodontic community's perception of the financial education received during residency and to delve into their current wealth management practices. An email list was used to distribute an online survey to 4,228 AAE members. The survey contained 31 questions to cover and address the study’s primary objectives. A total of 366 responses (8.47% response rate) were collected. Data were analyzed statistically using SAS software – chi-squared and Fisher's Exact Test (p < 0.05). The survey showed strong awareness of the importance of financial literacy (97.02%), with an evident interest in wealth management and financial investments (94.68%). However, there is dissatisfaction with the quantity (73.04%) and quality (70.84%) of financial education received in residency, creating a lack of confidence in the ability to manage personal (82.23%) and business finances (86.41%). When demographics were considered, residents and younger participants displayed lower engagement in savings, investments, and wealth management (p < 0.05). Endodontists expressed a strong interest in improving financial literacy and wealth management while also expressing dissatisfaction with the quality and quantity of financial education received during their residency. Demographic differences in financial behavior were observed, highlighting the need for more comprehensive education during endodontic training.