Knowledge and Awareness of Dentists about Hypochlorite Emergencies and their Management during Endodontic Treatment

Objective: This study aims to evaluate and compare dentists' knowledge and awareness of hypochlorite emergencies during endodontic treatment and their management. Study Design: Cross-sectional study. Settings: de ’Montmorency College of Dentistry, Lahore Pakistan. Duration: From July 2023 to January 2024. Methods: The study involved 206 dentists from various dental institutes in Punjab, Pakistan. A meticulously self-developed 21-item questionnaire assessed demographics, knowledge, and awareness of hypochlorite accidents. Data were analyzed using SPSS version 25, with non-parametric tests applied due to non-normal data distribution. Results: Female participants demonstrated significantly higher knowledge scores than males (p=0.012). No significant differences in knowledge scores were found between participants from public and private institutes (p=0.859). Assistant Professors and above had the highest mean knowledge scores (p<0.001). Participants taught about hypochlorite emergencies scored significantly higher (p<0.001). Irrigation beyond the apex was the most frequently reported emergency, particularly among those with more than five years of practice (p=0.004). Conclusion: The study highlights the need for comprehensive training and continuous education to manage hypochlorite emergencies effectively. Addressing knowledge gaps, especially in public institutes, and ensuring the availability of emergency kits can significantly improve patient safety and outcomes. Future research should focus on developing standardized training modules and assessing the long-term impact of enhanced educational interventions.