Objectives: To identify differences between general dentists and endodontists with regard to types of teeth treated, fees, and patient characteristics. Methods: The "Florida Dental Care Study" was a prospective longitudinal cohort study of 873 persons 45 years old or older with at least one tooth. An in-person interview and clinical examination were conducted at baseline, 24 months, and 48 months after baseline, with 6-monthly telephone interviews between those times. Dental record information was abstracted afterward. Results: A total of 100 teeth were treated in participants during the study period. While generalists performed the majority of endodontic procedures in all teeth, the percentage of molars treated by endodontists was significantly higher than the percentage of anterior teeth and bicuspids treated by endodontists. Data on fees were available in 85 of the cases. Although endodontists charged more on average for all teeth, the difference in fees was statistically significant only for molars. There were no statistically significant differences between generalist and specialist patients with regard to income, fear of pain, and frustration from previous dental care. However, a significantly higher percentage of patients treated by endodontists had dental insurance. Conclusions: Endodontists' fees were higher, they performed a higher percentage of molar root canals, and their patients were more likely to have dental insurance as compared to general dentists who did root canals.

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