Awareness and Knowledge of Dentists of Kashmir Regarding Separated Instrument Management : A Questionnaire Based Cross-Sectional Study

The aim of this survey was to evaluate the awareness & knowledge of dentists of Kashmir regarding separated instrument management. A modified online questionnaire comprising of demographics, knowledge and practice based questions was prepared and distributed online amongst 215 dentists irrespective of their specialty. A stipulated time of two weeks was given to receive response. The data collected was segregated and analyzed using MS excel for descriptive analysis. The response rate of 76% was achieved as 163 responses were received out of 215 participants. The survey respondents comprised of 32.5% percent of graduates, 35.5% endodontists and rest post-graduates of other specialties. Around 78.5% respondents experienced instrument separation during cleaning and shaping while 12.5 % during initial negotiation. Regarding the level of fracture inside the canal almost 71.5% observed separation in apical third of canal in mesial roots (65.6%) of mandibular molars. Most of the clinicians preferred bypassing technique (59.9%) as first line of treatment. 21.9% respondents preferred to leave the separated instrument in canal without further treatment & 8.8% clinicians opted for retrieval of separated instrument. 9.4% referred to endodontist for further treatment. Most of the respondents were aware about the basic technique and about the role of magnification in management of separated instrument although more information and training is needed to get aquanted with latest techniques and equipments for the treatment of separated instrument