Patient Perception, Awareness, and Attitudes Toward Root Canal Treatment in Tobruk, Libya: A Cross-Sectional Study.

Abstract

Root canal treatment (RCT) is a fundamental procedure in endodontics aimed at preserving natural dentition. However, patient acceptance is often hindered by misconceptions, fear of pain, and socioeconomic factors. This study aimed to evaluate patients' knowledge and awareness of root canal treatment at public and private dental centers in Tobruk, Libya. A multiple-choice questionnaire regarding knowledge and awareness of root canal treatment was distributed to 101 patients. The questionnaire comprised questions ranging from personal and social details to specific questions about endodontic treatment. The questionnaire was circulated to the sample population through a Google Docs link. Pie and bar charts with a frequency table were created once the survey data were acquired. The data were then subjected to statistical analysis using the chi-square test and Fisher's exact test, and P < 0.05 was considered statistically significant. The survey found that a significant majority, 83.2%, of patients familiar with root canal treatment procedures believe such treatment helps preserve the tooth. 86.1% of patients were familiar with the term root canal treatment. According to our study, it was clear that most of the people had good knowledge and awareness regarding root canal treatment and had undergone an RCT procedure