American Association of Endodontists Case Difficulty Assessment. The purpose of the application is to help endodontists, residents, dentists and dental students to quickly assess the difficulty of an endodontic case – whether that is to pick a case that is within their abilities, a case that is appropriately challenging, or find a case suitable for their Board of Endodontics application. There is also an abridged criteria to help clinicians who feel the original criteria is overly detailed.

If the user finds the case beyond their ability, they may choose to refer the case. An automatic referral letter can be generated and printed with the details of the referral. The user can choose to take photos with their phone. This is useful if photos of radiographs or clinical appearances are desired.

• The patient will be able to understand that their case is difficult and that an endodontist would be the ideal provider of care.
• The endodontist can consider an appropriately timed appointment based upon the difficulty.
LEVELS OF DIFFICULTY
Like our Case Difficulty Assessment Form, the app distinguishes between Minimal, Moderate and High Difficulty.
Review your assessment of each case to determine the level of difficulty. If the level of difficulty exceeds your experience and comfort, you might consider referral to an endodontist.

Scores
Those items listed in the Minimal Difficulty category are assigned a point value of 1.
Those items listed in the Moderate Difficulty category are assigned a point value of 2.
Those items listed in the High Difficulty category are assigned a point value of 5.

The following score ranges are recommended in making the decision whether to treat or refer:

• Less than 21 points: Dental student may treat—level of faculty supervision should be tailored to the student’s level of experience.
• 21 – 40 points: An experienced and skilled dental student may treat with very close supervision by an endodontist, or the case referred to a graduate student or endodontist.
• Above 40 points: The case should not be treated by a predoctoral dental student. The patient should be referred to a graduate student or endodontist.

The assignment of an objective “point score” will hopefully assist the dental student in critically evaluating the difficulty associated with treating each patient, assist him/her in making a treatment decision that will be in the patient’s best interests, as well as enhance the student’s educational experience.

Should you have any questions or comments, please email communications@aae.org.