Endodontic Continuing Education of Dental Practitioners in Croatia: A Nationwide Survey

Josipa Sovic; Sanja Segovic; Jurica Matijevic; Ivan Tomasic

doi:10.3889/oamjms.2024.11944

Authors

Josipa Sovic School of Dental Medicine, University of Zagreb, Zagreb, Croatia
Sanja Segovic Department of Endodontics and Restorative Dentistry, School of Dental Medicine, University of Zagreb, Zagreb, Croatia https://orcid.org/0009-0005-1954-1186
Jurica Matijevic Department of Endodontics and Restorative Dentistry, School of Dental Medicine, University of Zagreb, Zagreb, Croatia
Ivan Tomasic Division of Intelligent Future Technologies, School of Innovation, Design and Engineering, Mälardalen University, Västerås, Sweden; Department of Communication Systems, Jožef Stefan Institute, Ljubljana, Slovenia https://orcid.org/0000-0002-0545-2335

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.3889/oamjms.2024.11944

Keywords:

Continuing Professional Development, Continuing Dental Education, Dental Education, Endodontics, Rubber Dam

Abstract

AIM: This study aims to assess the state of endodontic continuing education (ECE) among dental practitioners in Croatia and identify factors influencing participation in such education.

METHODS: A questionnaire was sent to all dental offices in Croatia, yielding 819 responses. The data were analyzed descriptively and statistically modeled.

RESULTS: Most respondents had participated in some form of ECE during their careers. However, in the past 5 years, only about 78% had engaged in such education, with participation decreasing by 2% for each additional year of practice. Male practitioners had significantly less continuing education in the past 5 years, particularly in private clinics, dental clinics with concession contracts, and certain regions. Practitioners who performed more endodontic treatments reported higher levels of continuing education. The endometer was the only modern technique consistently used by about 60% of practitioners with continuing dental education.

CONCLUSION: Continuing education in endodontics should be more strongly promoted among practitioners with longer careers, particularly men.

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References

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