Purpose This study evaluated the influence of a metal artifact reduction (MAR) tool in a cone-beam computed tomography (CBCT) device on the diagnosis of vertical root fractures (VRFs) in teeth with different root filling materials. Materials and Methods Forty-five extracted human premolars were classified into three subgroups; 1) no filling; 2) gutta-percha; and 3) metallic post. CBCT images were acquired using an Orthopantomograph 300 unit with and without a MAR tool. Subsequently, the same teeth were fractured, and new CBCT scans were obtained with and without MAR. Two oral radiologists evaluated the images regarding the presence or absence of VRF. Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curves and diagnostic tests were performed. Results The overall area under the curve values were 0.695 for CBCT with MAR and 0.789 for CBCT without MAR. The MAR tool negatively influenced the overall diagnosis of VRFs in all tested subgroups, with lower accuracy (0.45–0.72), sensitivity (0.6–0.67), and specificity (0.23–0.8) than were found for the images without MAR. In the latter group, the accuracy, sensitivity, and specificity values were 0.68–0.77, 0.67–083, and 0.53–087, respectively. However, no significant difference was found between images with and without MAR for the no filling and gutta-percha subgroups ( P >0.05). In the metallic post subgroup, CBCT showed a significant difference according to MAR use ( P <0.05). Conclusion The OP 300 MAR tool negatively influenced the detection of VRFs in teeth with no root canal filling, gutta-percha, or metallic posts. Teeth with metallic posts suffered the most from the negative impact of MAR.

Aim: To investigate final-year dental students’ assessment of their achievement of professional profile, competencies and skills as set out in the National Curriculum Guidelines (NCG) and its association with demographic characteristics. Methods: A cross-sectional study was carried out at the dental school of the Federal University of Goiás, Brazil. The study population (N= 205) was composed of all undergraduate students finishing their courses under the new curricula over a five-year period. They were asked to score their achievement of the professional profile, competencies and skills proposed by the NCG using a 3-point scale. Frequency distribution of the data was described and scores for competencies and skills were calculated. The total score was the sum of those obtained in each single item. For group comparisons regarding to the students’ demographic characteristics, Mann-Whitney test was performed with statistical significance of 5%. Results: The sample was composed by 204 final year students (response rate= 99.5%). Only one student considered that she did not have the profile proposed in the NCG. 52% of them reported they had fully achieved the professional profile, while the remaining reported they had partially achieved it. High percentages of responses indicating partial or total achievement of general and specific competencies and skills were also found. The total score ranged from 36 to 72 (mean= 60.2; SD= 7.68; median= 62.0). Women reported higher levels of competencies and skills relating teamwork and the social context of the profession. Men reported higher levels of skills related to decision-making and activities aimed at diasease diagnosis and interventions. Younger students, compared to older ones, had higher scores on five items of specific competencies and skills. Conclusion: Most of the students considered to have achieved the professional profile, competencies and skills proposed in the NCG, and their perceptions were associated with demographic characteristics (age and sex).