A scoping review of four decades of outcomes in non-surgical root canal treatment, non-surgical retreatment and apexification studies. Part 3: a proposed framework for standardized data collection and reporting of endodontic outcome studies.

ABSTRACT Background Despite initiatives to standardize and improve reporting of rapidly growing endodontic outcome research studies, issues related to missing and ambiguous information are still of great concern. In this paper, we propose a framework for standardized data collection and a compiled checklist for reporting of various study designs on endodontic outcome. Method A comprehensive search was carried out to locate randomized controlled trials, cohorts, case-control studies, or case series of >100 patients which reported on endodontic outcomes. We reviewed these articles to develop a Data Collection Template and compiled a checklist for reporting of future endodontic outcome research. Results Out of 354 eligible articles previously reported in our scoping review on endodontic outcome studies, 109 papers were selected and screened for study variables or levels of categorization. Our complied Data Collection Template was developed in 19 domains to highlight important demographic, preoperative, intraoperative, and postoperative variables. Given the specific needs for endodontic outcome literature, we also proposed a compiled checklist (consisting of 4 main domains) to facilitate the reporting of various study designs on endodontic outcome studies. This checklist included simple descriptions of the required items and examples on reporting from published endodontic studies. Conclusions By facilitating the collection and reporting of relevant research data by investigators in private practice and academia, we hope that the proposed Data Collection Template and reporting guideline can highlight the importance of standardization amongst clinicians and researchers while producing valid scientific information that will support evidence-based treatment decisions.