Evaluation of dental students′ perception and self-confidence levels regarding endodontic treatment

Abstract

Objectives:The aim of this study was to obtain information about senior dental students’ perceptions and self-confidence levels regarding endodontic practice.Materials and Methods:Anonymous survey forms were handed out to senior students at Yeditepe University, Faculty of Dentistry. The students were asked to score their level of confidence using a 5-point scale and comment about future practices.Results:The response rate of the survey was 88%. 11.9% expressed endodontics as the first branch in terms of difficulty. The majority (90.5%) indicated they would perform root canal treatments within their expertise limit in the future but refer difficult cases to an endodontist. Bleaching of endodontically treated teeth, managing flare-ups, placement of a rubber dam were procedures in which students reported the lowest confidence (2.55 ± 1.17, 3.24 ± 0.96, 3.24 ± 1.19, respectively). On the other hand, students felt the lowest confidence in the treatment of maxillary molars followed by mandibular molars (3.43 ± 1.02 and 3.93 ± 0.97, respectively). Students also reported the lowest confidence in root resorptions, endo-perio lesions, traumas, retreatments and apexifications (2.93 ± 1.16, 3.07 ± 0.89, 3.24 ± 0.85, 3.33 ± 1.7 and 3.36 ± 1.1, respectively).Conclusions:The results showing students’ lower confidence in more challenging aspects of dentistry may be related with the attitude of dental schools to refer these cases to post graduate students and instilling information about these cases on a theoretical basis only. Though there seems to be a tendency for students to refer challenging cases to a specialist in future, authorities should give priority to enhance the way information and experience is conveyed regarding various aspects of endodontic treatment.

The self-confidence levels of senior dental students during endodontic treatment procedures

“…[1] Following graduation, dental students should be able to make an accurate diagnosis as regards to endodontic cases and organize a proper treatment plan to carry out a qualified endodontic treatment. [2] The aim of present survey was to gather information from senior dental students enrolled in Yeditepe University Faculty of Dentistry related to their confidence levels during endodontic treatment procedures.…”

Attitudes of Students of Different Schools of University of Zagreb on Tooth Bleaching

“…Interpretacijom ovakvih odgovora proizlazi da su mlađoj studentskoj populaciji estetika, osmijeh i lijepi zubi iznimno važni, kao jedni od najdojmljivijih detalja lica (22). Trećina svih ispitanika (34 %) željela bi izbijeliti zube, a taj je postotak najniži kod studenta dentalne medicine (28 %) zbog edukacije tijekom studija jer uče o indikacijama, kontraindikacijama i potencijalnim neželjenim posljedicama toga postupka (23,24). Ako bi se odlučili izbjeljivati zube, 80 posto svih ispitanika otišlo bi u ordinaciju dentalne medicine i savjetovali bi se sa svojim liječnikom, za razliku od onih koji se koriste raznim preparatima dostupnima u supermarketima.…”

“…Tako izbjeljivanje zuba smatra sigurnim postupkom 76 posto studenata u Corku, a kod ostalih je taj postotak nešto niži (Cardiff < 70 %, Malmö < 36 %) (24). Nadalje, Tanalp je sa suradnicima ustanovio da studenti ne vjeruju u uspjeh izbjeljivanja avitalnih, endodontski liječenih zuba (23). Do danas je proveden zavidan broj istraživanja o mehanizmu djelovanja pojedinih sredstava za izbjeljivanje zuba, o učinkovitosti samog tretmana i o neže-ljenim, štetnim učincima (10,13,14,17,25,26).…”

“…76 % of students in Cork and less than 70 % students in Cardiff and 36% students in Malmö considered tooth bleaching a very safe procedure. Tanalp et al reported that students considered bleaching of endodontically treated teeth not so effective (23). Many researchers have concluded that tooth bleaching has some negative effects (10, 13, 14, 17, 25, 26) but they stated that it is a safe procedure if performed professionally, under the dentist's supervision.…”

“…These results suggest that the younger the student population, the more essential esthetics, smile and beautiful teeth are as distinctive facial details (22). One third of patients (34%) would like to whiten their teeth, while the percentage is lower among the population of dental students (28%), which is associated with their education during the study, especially as they progress and receive more information on indications, contraindications and potential side-effects during tooth bleaching procedures (23,24). If they decided to bleach their teeth, 80% of the subjects would go to their dentist's office rather than use some of 'over the counter' bleaching products with statistically significant difference (χ 2 =10,985, df=3, expected χ 2 =7,815) (Table 3 and Figure 5).…”