Sample surveys are often used to collect data for obtaining estimates of finite population quantities, such as disease prevalence. However, non-response and sampling frame under-coverage can cause the survey sample to differ from the target population in important ways. To reduce bias in the survey estimates that can arise from these differences, auxiliary information about the target population from sources including administrative files or census data can be used. Survey weighting is one approach commonly used to reduce bias. Although weighted estimates are relatively easy to obtain, they can be inefficient in the presence of highly dispersed weights. Model-based estimation in survey research offers advantages of improved efficiency in the presence of sparse data and highly variable weights. However, these models can be subject to model misspecification. In this dissertation, we propose Bayesian penalized spline regression models for survey inference about proportions in the entire population as well as in sub-populations. The proposed methods incorporate survey weights as covariates using a penalized spline to protect against model misspecification. We show by simulations that the proposed methods perform well, yielding efficient estimates of population proportion for binary survey data in the presence of highly dispersed weights and robust to model misspecification for survey outcomes. We illustrate the use of the proposed methods to estimate the prevalence of lifetime temper dysregulation disorder among National Guard service members overall and in sub-populations defined by gender and race using the Ohio Army National Guard Mental Health Initiative 2008-2009 survey data. We further extend the proposed framework to the setting where individual auxiliary data for the population are not available and utilize a Bayesian bootstrap approach to complete model-based estimation of current and undiagnosed depression in Hispanics/Latinos of different national backgrounds from the 2015 Washington Heights Community Survey.

Introdução: O crescimento da prevalência do Diabetes Mellitus verificado em nível global tem sido relacionado a uma diversidade de fatores, entre eles, mudanças no estilo de vida da população e consequente aumento do excesso de peso, envelhecimento populacional, maior sobrevida e maior acesso aos testes diagnósticos. Devido às dificuldades de realização de medidas bioquímicas em nível populacional, inquéritos de saúde utilizam com frequência o autorrelato de um diagnóstico de diabetes para estimar a prevalência da doença. Objetivos: Este estudo pretende descrever as estimativas nacionais da prevalência de diabetes autorreferido segundo dados da Pesquisa Nacional de Saúde de 2013, e analisar a tendência dessas estimativas entre 2006 e 2014 e fatores relacionados nas capitais brasileiras segundo dados do inquérito anual telefônico Vigitel. Métodos: Os dois inquéritos populacionais analisados incluíam informações sobre a referência a um diagnóstico médico anterior de diabetes. A Pesquisa Nacional de Saúde (PNS) é um inquérito domiciliar realizado em 2013 por meio de amostragem por conglomerados de residentes em domicílios particulares de todo o território nacional, perfazendo um total de 60.202 moradores que responderam ao questionário no domicílio. O Vigitel é um inquérito telefônico realizado anualmente desde 2006, em amostras probabilísticas da população adulta residente nas capitais do Brasil e Distrito Federal, totalizando mais de 40.000 entrevistas telefônicas a cada ano. As estimativas das duas pesquisas foram ponderadas de forma a representar a população total de interesse do estudo, de acordo com a amostragem complexa de cada inquérito. A análise de tendência e fatores associados levou em conta características sociodemográficas e estado nutricional e foi realizada por meio do Stata 12.0, utilizando o comando de pós estimação com predições médias ajustadas. Resultados: A PNS estimou um total de aproximadamente 9 milhões de pessoas com diabetes no país, com uma prevalência de 6,2% (IC95% 5,9-6,6), sendo maior nas mulheres (7,0%; IC95% 6,5-7,5) do que nos homens (5,4%; IC95% 4,8-5,9), e entre os moradores da área urbana (6,5%; IC95% 6,1-6,9) do que da área rural (4,6%; IC95% 4,0-5,2). Os dados do Vigitel indicaram que a prevalência de diabetes cresceu de 5,5% (IC95% 5,1-5,9) em 2006 para 8,0% (IC95% 7,5-8,5) em 2014, um aumento de 0,26 pontos percentuais (p.p.) ao ano. O aumento na tendência foi significativo para homens e mulheres, a partir dos 35 anos de idade, para todos os níveis de escolaridade e para aqueles com sobrepeso. As tendências de crescimento mais consistentes, além da prevalência de diabetes global (R2=0.77) foram observadas entre os homens (coeficiente de determinação, R2=0.93), aqueles com menor escolaridade (0 a 8 anos de estudo com R2=0.81), faixa etária de 65 anos ou mais (R2=0.79) e de 35-44 anos (R2=0.77) e de pessoas com sobrepeso (R2=0.75). Nos dois inquéritos, as pessoas de menor escolaridade apresentaram as maiores prevalências. Conclusão: A prevalência de diabetes autorreferido é alta no Brasil e vem crescendo ano a ano na última década. Se esse crescimento resulta de um aumento na incidência, da redução da mortalidade ou do maior diagnóstico de diabetes não pode ser definido no momento. De qualquer forma, a tendência de aumento observada substancia um enorme desafio a ser enfrentado pelo sistema de saúde nos próximos anos. / Introduction: The global rise in the prevalence of Diabetes Mellitus has been linked to a variety of factors, such as lifestyle changes and consequent increase in excess weight, aging of the population, greater survival and access to diagnostic tests. Due to difficulties in performing biochemical measurements at the population level, most health surveys frequently use a self-report of a previous diagnosis of diabetes to estimate prevalence of the disease. Objectives: This study aims to describe national estimates for the prevalence of self-reported diabetes and associated factors according to data from National Health Survey and to analyze trends and possible related factors in Brazilian capital cities according to Vigitel, an annual telephone survey in Brazil. Methods: Both surveys contained information regarding a self-report of a previous diagnosis of diabetes. The National Health Survey (NHS) is a household survey conducted in Brazil in 2013 through cluster sampling of residents in private households throughout the country, involving 60.202 households. VIGITEL is a telephone survey held every year since 2006, based on probabilistic samples of adult population residing in state capitals and the Federal District and involving over 40,000 interviews each year. Estimates were weighted to represent the surveyed population, according to the complex sample frame of each survey. The analysis of trend and related factors took into account sociodemographic characteristics and nutritional status and was carried out using Stata-12, according with a probability predictive margins model. Results: NHS has estimated a total of about nine million people with diabetes in Brazil, with a prevalence of 6.2% (95%CI 5.9-6.6), greater in women (7.0%; 95%CI 6.5-7.5) than men (5.4%; 95%CI 4.8-5.9) and among people living in urban areas (6.5%; 95%CI 6.1-6.9) rather than rural areas (4.6%; 95%CI 4.0-5.2). Vigitel data indicate that diabetes prevalence increased from 5.5% (95% CI 5.1-5.9) in 2006 to 8.0% (95% CI 7.5-8.5) in 2014, a net rise of 0.26%/year (p=0.001). Significant positive trends were found for men and women, those of 35 years and up, for all levels of education and for those being overweight. The most consistent upward trends, besides of overall diabetes prevalence (R2=0.77) were observed among men (coefficient of determination, R2=0.93), those with educational attainment of 0-8 years (R2=0.81), those > 65 years (R2=0.79) and of 35-44 years old (R2=0.77) and those who were overweight (R2=0.75). In both surveys, the prevalence diabetes was higher among less schooling individuals. Conclusion: Prevalence of self-reported diabetes is high in Brazil and recent trends indicate a contiuous rise. Whether this is due to increased incidence, improved survival, or greater diagnosis cannot be determined at the present. Nevertheless, the trend observed substantiate an enormous challenge to be dealt with by the health systems in the years to come.

Submitted by Fabíola Silva (fabiola.silva@famerp.br) on 2017-02-20T17:24:50Z No. of bitstreams: 1 marciojosegarciaborges_dissert.pdf: 866966 bytes, checksum: 19547074c79674848b044e8b3608e06a (MD5) / Made available in DSpace on 2017-02-20T17:24:50Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 marciojosegarciaborges_dissert.pdf: 866966 bytes, checksum: 19547074c79674848b044e8b3608e06a (MD5) Previous issue date: 2014-12-11 / Introduction: Tuberculosis constitutes nowadays a very important “pandemic”, considering the dissemination situation as a relevant health problem in prisons, not only as incidence and prevalence, but also by its resistant form frequency and in HIV co-infection. Objective: epidemiologic situation analysis of TB in São José do Rio Preto/SP prison system notified from 2007 to 2011. Methods: epidemiologic analytic descriptive study retrospective cohort-like realized by document analysis of notified TB cases in prison population in São José do Rio Preto/SP. Data analysis was made by incidence calculation, relative risk and confidence interval, adopting significance level of 95%. Results: of the 770 TB cases notified from 2007 to 2011, 16,6% occurred in prison population. The incidence of TB in prison population is higher than general population in the whole study, mostly in 2009. The risk of an inmate acquire TB is about 30 times higher than general population, and in 2009 this risk was 43,2 (29,3-54,7) times higher. Conclusions: the health system isolation in correctional institutions observed shows the fragility in judiciary and health public politics, besides the indefiniteness of responsibility, coordination, resources and the inexistence of organization logistics of actions among different levels of the health system. / Introdução: A tuberculose (TB) constitui-se, nos dias atuais uma importante “pandemia”, considerando a situação da disseminação como relevante problema de saúde nas prisões, não só em termos de incidência e de prevalência, como também pela frequência de formas resistentes e na co-infecção pelo vírus do HIV. Objetivo: Analisar a situação epidemiológica da TB no sistema prisional no município de São José do Rio Preto/SP, notificados no período de 2007 a 2011. Métodos: Estudo epidemiológico descritivo analítico tipo coorte retrospectivo realizado por meio de análise documental dos casos notificados de TB na população privada de liberdade das unidades prisionais localizadas em São José do Rio Preto/SP. A análise dos dados foi realizada pelo calculo da incidência, risco relativo e intervalo de confiança, adotando-se o nível de significância de 95%. Resultados: Dos 770 casos de TB notificados entre 2007 e 2011, 16,6% ocorreram na população privada de liberdade. A incidência da TB população privada de liberdade foi maior do que na população geral em todo o período do estudo, com destaque para o ano de 2009. O risco de o indivíduo encarcerado contrair a TB é cerca de 30 vezes maior que o individuo em liberdade, sendo que em 2009 esse risco chegou a ser 43,2 (29,3-54,7) vezes maior. Conclusões: O isolamento do sistema de saúde nas instituições penais observado no país demonstra a fragilidade das políticas públicas existentes tanto na área jurídica quanto da saúde, além da indefinição de responsabilidade, gestão, recursos e da inexistência de fluxos e organização das ações entre setores de diferentes níveis da saúde.

Estudos epidemiológicos são a única forma de propiciar uma visão do estado de saúde bucal e necessidades de tratamento de uma população, e as possíveis relações entre os fatores ambientais e a prevalência de cárie. Estudos desta natureza, no Brasil e no mundo, tem sido dirigidos a grupos de estudantes da rede pública ou trabalhadores da indústria ou comércio. Estretanto, face à situação atual de alto desemprego e um grande número de crianças fora da rede escolar, usou-se uma metodologia que permitiu o sorteio de quarteirões de todos os bairros urbanos da cidade de Bauru. Todas as residências dos quarteirões sorteados foram visitadas e 1839 foram examinadas. No levantamento epidemiológico foram examinados 6.539 indivíduos de mais de 3 anos de idade, que foram classificados quanto à idade, sexo, classe socio-economica, nível de escolaridade e atenção odontológica recebida nos últimos doze meses prévios ao exame. Baseados na análise estatística dos resultados, pode-se concluir que: 1 - O padrão de saúde bucal nas faixas etárias testadas, em relação ao número de pacientes isentos de cárie, CPOD, última visita ao dentista, dentes restaurados e cariados mostrou não have diferenças estatisticamente significantes entre os sexos. Entretanto, houve diferenças estatisticamente significantes entre os sexos em relação ao número de dentes perdidos no sub-grupo de 35-44 anos, tendo o sexo feminino perdido mais dentes que o masculino. 2 - O padrão de saúde bucal na faixa etária de 3-4 anos de idade mostrou diferenças estatisticamente significantes entre as classes sociais, tendo as de nível sócio-econômico mais elevado mostrado maior número de crianças com CPOD igual a zero. Já nas faixas etárias de 5-6 e 12-13 anos, esta diferenã não foi observada. Quando o CPOD e o número de dentes perdidos foram considerados para o grupo 12-13 anos, não houve diferença estatisticamente significante entre as distintas classes sociais. Para a faixa etária de 35-44 foi observada uma diferença estatisticamente significante quando ao número de dentes perdidos, sendo que as classes mais privilegiadas perderam menos dentes que as demais. No sub-grupo de 12-13 anos houve diferença estatisticamente significante, tanto para dentes perdidos, sendo que as classes mais privilegiadas perderam menos dentes que as demais. No sub-grupo de 12-13 anos houve diferença estatisticamente significante, tanto para dentes restaurados, quando para dentes cariados. As classes mais privilegiadas mostraram maior número de dentes restaurados, enquanto as demais mostraram maior número de cariados. As comparações entre os nossos dados e as metas estabelecidas pelo OMS para o ano 2.000 apontam para a necessidade do aumento de 38% para 50% de crianças isentas de cárie, a diminuição do CPOD aos 12 anos, de 4,87 para 3 e o aumento do percentual de indivíduos com todos os dentes aos 18 anos, de 51% para 85%. Certamente estes índices não serão conseguidos dentro do modelo atual de atendimento. Atitudes firmes necessitam ser tomadas para reverter o quadro atual. / A sampling survey may be the only feasible method of collecting the relevant data on disease distribution for use in planning and evaluating the communities dental status, dental need and how these states are influenced by the enviroment. Epidemiological investigations in the world and Brazil have been generally directed to more accessible population groups such as school age children or organized groups like factory workers. Howevwe, with the particular situations wich face the population nowadays such as high inflation rate, unemplyment, and a great number of children out of the school system, the sampling selection as performed in two stages. In the first stage, blocks of all the urban districts that divide the city were randomly selected. In the second stage, all the dwellings in each block were selected. Of the 1,927 families visited, 1,839 agreed to be examined, representing a response rate of 95,4 per cent. Examinations were provided for 6,598 individuals from 1,839 families. The subjects were between the ages of 3 and 92 years-old. The individuals were classified according to sex, age, educational level, socio-economic status and having received dental treatment in the last 12 months previous to the examination. To assess the oral health of each individual, information about dentition status and treatment need, prosthetic status and denture requirements as well as conditions needing immediate attention were obtained according the criteria proposed by WHO. According to the experimental conditions of this investigation and based upon on the statistical analysis of the data, the following conclusions were drawn: 1- No significant difference was found by sex in the DMFT score, last visit to the dentist, caries free children, filled or decay score. However, significant differences were detected by sex in the M-D score among the 35-44 age goup, and females presented higher numbers of missing teeth than males. 2 - Significant differences was found among children aged 3-4 in the number of caries free by socio economic status. In the same way, among people of 35-44 years of age, significant difference was found in the number of missing teeth by socio economic status and the M-T is inversely related to the social class; the higher social class the lower the mean number. Significant differences were detected in both the number of filled and decayed teeth among people aged 12-13. With higher social class, the number of filled teeth was higher and the number of decayed teeth was lower. However, no significant differences were found by socio economic status in both DMFT score and missing teeth among the age-groups 5-6, 12-13. 3 - By the comparasion between our data and the WHO\'s desire for the year 2000 to achieve their goals, it will be necessary to improve both the number of carie free children from 38% to 50%, and the number of people who had all of their teeth from 51% to 85%. It will also be necessary at the same time to decrease the DMFT from 4,87 to 3 for 12 years-old people. These goals will not be achieved with the dental care system available nowadays. A change in attitude must be taken to improve the current situation.

This thesis examines the implications of using different correlation input matrices and estimation techniques in confirmatory factor analyses (CFAs) when analyzing ordinal, nonnormal data derived from responses of recently arrived Australian immigrants to the 12-item General Health Questionnaire (GHQ-12). The GHQ-12 is one of the most widely used instruments for determining wellbeing in populations. The response format of the GHQ-12 comprises four ordinal categories and underlying distributions of data obtained invariably do not approximate univariate or multivariate normality. Owing to these data properties, consideration should be given to the application of appropriate statistical approaches for analyzing this type of data sets. This study also investigates the extent to which the GHQ-12 is invariant across gender and cultural groups. A three-dimensional measurement model for the GHQ-12 was initially examined for four groups of Australian immigrants who originated from Hong Kong (n = 201), Mainland China (n =213), former Yugoslavia (n = 259), and the United Kingdom (n = 428). A series of CFAs using either a Pearson�s product-moment or a polychoric correlation input matrix and employing either maximum likelihood (ML), weighted least squares (WLS) or diagonally weighted least squares (DWLS) estimation methods was conducted on the data. A comparison of the parameter estimates and goodness-of-fit statistics obtained for the different analyses provided support for using polychoric correlation input matrices and DWLS estimation in CFAs when analyzing ordinal, nonnormal data with smaller sample sizes. Invariance tests across gender and cultural groups were conducted on a second-order measurement model for the GHQ-12, culminating in significant differences between the two Asian and two European cohorts. The GHQ-12 was invariant for immigrants from Hong Kong and Mainland China, as well as for males and females from the United Kingdom. Partial invariance of the GHQ-12 was found for immigrants from Asia, the United Kingdom, and former Yugoslavia and for Asian males and females. Findings from the present study suggest that estimating models based on nonnormal ordinal responses using polychoric correlations with DWLS is more likely to result in a solution with higher parameter estimates and better indices of fit than other approaches. Further research should be conducted on real and simulated data to investigate the efficacy of WLS and DWLS estimation in CFAs when using polychoric correlations as the input data for varying categorical response formats, with a range of model and sample sizes.

Prevention and slowing the progression, of chronic diseases ( such as cancer, heart disease, arthritis, diabetes, asthma, osteoporosis, dementia and incontinence ), and influencing risk factors and health behaviours of a population, relies on the best available data - driven evidence. The quality of measurement techniques to collect representative population health survey and surveillance data is, as a consequence, brought under scrutiny. The presentation of this thesis is the culmination of 17 years work that has been focused on contributing to improving public health in South Australia. It is premised on the understanding that continual epidemiological assessment using representative population health surveys can deliver evidence - based information needed by health policy makers, health planners and health promoters to make appropriate, timely and efficient evidence - based decisions. The objective of the portfolio of published papers was to demonstrate the contribution to producing quality data - driven evidence using population surveys through rigour in collecting self - reported data, diversifying surveillance data collection methods and facilitating collaboration. This portfolio presents papers that have addressed a range of methodological and chronic disease and risk factor epidemiological issues. In terms of demonstrating rigour the publications have addressed the bias associated with non - response, the methodological rigour inherent in face - to - face surveys, the differences in estimates that can occur based on mode of administration, the science of telephone surveying and the importance of good questionnaire design to produce valid and meaningful data. The literature presented has also demonstrated the first South Australian population - wide prevalence survey dealing with the consequences of domestic violence and associated issues ( for males and females ) in the community, and in doing so, demonstrated the use of the telephone to collect large - scale data in Australia on domestic violence and associated factors in the population. In addition, the first time the importance of undertaking an array of methodological precautions during the data collection phase associated with collecting data on sensitive health issues on the telephone was demonstrated in Australia as was the assessment of the bias obtained in health estimates dependent upon which telephone - based sample was used. In demonstrating the need for diversity in data collection the research submitted within this thesis has demonstrated the range of telephone surveying development issues and challenges in Australia and the benefits and the value of both face - to - face and telephone as survey data collection tools in Australia. The publications also made a significant contribution to the literature in the survey methodology area, in particular, within the systematic error in questionnaire design, the measurement error in BMI self - reported measurements, validity of self - reported height and weight, and the overall CATI methodology area. Epidemiological collaborative research in particular in the areas of social capital, HRT, mental health, suicide ideation, osteoporosis, interpersonal violence, chronic disease epidemiology and risk factor epidemiology was demonstrated. As a consequence of my research, surveying populations about their health is now entrenched into public health and health service sectors in SA. Rigour in collecting self - reported data, diversifying survey and surveillance data collection methods and facilitating collaboration, has produced quality date - driven evidence for South Australia. / Thesis (Ph.D.)--University of Adelaide, School of Medicine, Discipline of Medicine, 2006.

<p>The present study was conceived to examine the trend and factors affecting fertility in Nigeria and Guinea. Fertility has declined by about nineteen percent in Nigeria between 1982 and 1999. In the same period it has declined by five percent in Guinea. The decline is observed in data from censuses and surveys. Studies have reported that fertility transition is in progress in most Sub-Sahara African countries (Bongaarts 2008 / Guttmacher 2008), Nigeria (Feyisetan and Bankole 2002) and Guinea (measuredhs 2007). Studies and surveys done in some regions and among ethnic groups suggest that fertility is declining in Nigeria (Caldwell et al. 1992) and Guinea (measuredhs 2007). However, these studies and surveys are devoid of national representativeness as they are localized in specific regions or selected ethnic groups. Thus, they cannot be used as a national reference. The trend of the total fertility rate (TFR) from the three consecutive Demographic and Health Surveys in Nigeria did not show any meaningful decrease over time. In the same vein, no evidence of fertility decline was observed in Guinea from the Demographic and Health Surveys. The claim that fertility is declining in these two countries which assures the funding organizations that Family Planning programs are successful is beyond the scope of the present study. Based on Demographic and Health Surveys the claim that fertility is decreasing in Nigeria may be misleading, whereas in Guinea fertility has shown stability. This suggests that while the factors affecting fertility may be similar, their impacts differ from country to country.</p>

The purposes of the study were to: 1) evaluate health knowledge competencies, 2) assess health skills, and 3) determine interrelationships among health knowledge, health skills, and self-reported behavioral demographic variables for Oregon entry-level college freshmen who had graduated from Oregon schools. An instrument, the "Health Education Survey," was developed with the assistance of two Delphi panels, consisting of (1) nationally known health educators and (2) recognized Oregon health educators. The first panel contributed to the health knowledge competency part of the survey, including issues of community health, consumer health, environmental health, family life, mental and emotional health, injury prevention and safety, nutrition, personal health, prevention and control of disease, and substance use and abuse. The second panel contributed to the health skills part of the survey, including safe-living, stressor/risk-taking management, physical fitness, and nutrition, as defined by the Oregon Department of Education. Based upon health information derived from the first two parts, the third survey section considered various demographic and behavioral variables, including substance use, eating habits, and physical fitness. The data derived from administration of the survey were evaluated by criterion- referenced and empirical (analysis of variance, t-test, chi-square) measurements at the .05 alpha level of significance. Data analysis disclosed that: 1) the subjects did not meet the 85% mastery standard for criterion-referenced measures for any of the health knowledge competencies or essential health skills; 2) there were significant differences among the subjects for the content areas of consumer health and the health skills of safe-living, physical fitness, and nutrition, as well as the behavioral areas of marijuana use, fitness level, and wearing auto seatbelts; and 3) gender differences existed for the content areas of family life and nutrition. From analysis of the research findings, it was recommended that there is need for additional collaboration among secondary school health educators, education and health agencies, and appropriate higher education personnel to improve the health knowledge and skill needs of Oregon students. It was suggested that cooperative efforts at the secondary and university level to form coordinated, on-going evaluation and research projects would be one means to achieve this goal. / Graduation date: 1992

Background: Teeth affected by apical periodontitis (AP) that could be retained by root canal therapy (RCT) are increasingly being extracted and replaced with implant-supported crowns (ISC). Objectives: 1) To investigate preferences of dentists and patients towards retaining a tooth with AP using RCT versus its extraction followed by, no replacement, replacement with an ISC, or with a partial fixed or removable denture. 2) To investigate patients’ preferred role and dentists’ ethical responsibilities in decision-making. Methods: A mail-out survey (sent to: dental specialists, n=195, response rate=39%; patients, n=434, response rate=43%) and a web-based survey (general dentist sample, n=304, response rate =15%) were used to collect data. Statistical bivariate and multivariate analyses were undertaken with P set at < 0.05 with Bonferroni adjustment as necessary. Results: RCT or ISC were the most selected treatment choices for dentists, while the preference for RCT was reduced for teeth treated previously with RCT. Dentists’ preferences were associated with their specialty as well as clinical experience in endodontics and/or implant dentistry. Patients’ stated general preference for saving teeth was associated with higher self-rated oral health, frequent dental check-ups, and higher socio-demographic factors. Those with higher education, regular dental visits and previous experience of RCT preferred to undergo RCT for future treatment in comparison to those who never experienced RCT. Patients preferred a collaborative role with their dentists in making treatment decisions and valued the retention of natural teeth very highly. They also felt that communication with and trust in their dentist was paramount. Conclusion: Dentists should establish rapport with patients in a milieu that values and respects the patients’ autonomy. By following the highest standards of evidence-based care, and transferring unbiased information on treatment options and associated risks/benefits, it is highly probable that dental care will be delivered in a more ethical manner than would otherwise be possible.

Background: Teeth affected by apical periodontitis (AP) that could be retained by root canal therapy (RCT) are increasingly being extracted and replaced with implant-supported crowns (ISC). Objectives: 1) To investigate preferences of dentists and patients towards retaining a tooth with AP using RCT versus its extraction followed by, no replacement, replacement with an ISC, or with a partial fixed or removable denture. 2) To investigate patients’ preferred role and dentists’ ethical responsibilities in decision-making. Methods: A mail-out survey (sent to: dental specialists, n=195, response rate=39%; patients, n=434, response rate=43%) and a web-based survey (general dentist sample, n=304, response rate =15%) were used to collect data. Statistical bivariate and multivariate analyses were undertaken with P set at < 0.05 with Bonferroni adjustment as necessary. Results: RCT or ISC were the most selected treatment choices for dentists, while the preference for RCT was reduced for teeth treated previously with RCT. Dentists’ preferences were associated with their specialty as well as clinical experience in endodontics and/or implant dentistry. Patients’ stated general preference for saving teeth was associated with higher self-rated oral health, frequent dental check-ups, and higher socio-demographic factors. Those with higher education, regular dental visits and previous experience of RCT preferred to undergo RCT for future treatment in comparison to those who never experienced RCT. Patients preferred a collaborative role with their dentists in making treatment decisions and valued the retention of natural teeth very highly. They also felt that communication with and trust in their dentist was paramount. Conclusion: Dentists should establish rapport with patients in a milieu that values and respects the patients’ autonomy. By following the highest standards of evidence-based care, and transferring unbiased information on treatment options and associated risks/benefits, it is highly probable that dental care will be delivered in a more ethical manner than would otherwise be possible.