Factors Influencing Choice of Root Canal Treatment by Patients Presenting With Non-vital Teeth in a Tertiary Health Facility in the South-South, Nigeria

Aim: To determine the factors that influenced treatment choices in patients presenting with non –vital teeth.

Methods: A descriptive cross- sectional study was carried out among patients presenting with a non-vital tooth at the Dental Centre, University of Benin Teaching Hospital. Respondents were selected using systemic sampling techniques. Data was obtained using a structured, interviewer-administered questionnaire. This was analyzed with IBM SPSS version 25.0 Frequency distribution and cross tabulation were computed for categorical variables. Oral health practices, knowledge and awareness of root canal treatment and factors influencing choice of treatment were obtained.

Results: The age range of participants was 20-60 years with majority of the respondents (53.7%) being female, with a female to male ratio of 1:0.9. Most respondents (55.2%) had poor oral health practices but good knowledge of root canal treatment was greater than half 56.5%. Most respondents had tertiary education (70.6%). Majority of respondents (74.3%) preferred to extract their teeth and cost was the major determinant of their choice.

Conclusion: The cost of root canal treatment was the ultimate factor in deciding the treatment choice amongst respondents. Younger age groups, female respondents, employed participants and respondents on health insurance were more likely to preserve their teeth. The role of attending dentists in influencing patient’s choice of treatment was relatively high, but was overshadowed by cost. This Implies that low income earners will continue to have their teeth removed except they can benefit from health insurance.