Influence of Method of Teaching Endodontics on the Self-Efficacy and Self-Perceived Competence of Undergraduate Dental Students

Abstract

Objective: This study assessed whether self-efficacy and the self-perceived competence of undergraduate dental students had been influenced by the method of teaching endodontics. Methods:Certain modules of the undergraduate endodontic programme at the Academic Centre for Dentistry Amsterdam (ACTA) including the tutorials, the clinical training and the assessment were revised. The self-efficacy and self-perceived competence close to graduation of an intermediate cohort of 24 students who attended all or some of the former modules or the revised modules were assessed. Additionally, the performance of students in performing root canal treatments was assessed according to predetermined criteria. Data were analysed using Cohen's Kappa, Cronbach's Alpha, Mann-Whitney and T-tests.Results: Self-efficacy and the self-perceived competence of students who followed the former modules of clinical training and assessment were similar to those of students who followed the revised modules. The revised module with higher number of tutorials increased students' self-perceived competence, but did not influence their self-efficacy statistically significantly. Not the entire number, but the number of root canal treatments performed under supervision of endodontists was related with an increase in students' self-efficacy and self-perceived competence. The performance of students in performing root canal tretaments was not statistically significantly related to their self-efficacy and self-perceived competence. Conclusion:Among the modules and their components assessed in the present study, only the number of tutorials and the number of root canal treatments performed under supervision of endodontists influenced the self-efficacy and the self-perceived competence of students.

Effect of an endodontic e-learning application on students’ performance during their first root canal treatment on real patients: a pilot study

“…The use of artificial teeth provides a safe environment for students, so they can practice without the risk of harming the patient when treatment errors occur. Nevertheless, training on real patients is irreplaceable for gaining endodontic skills [ 87 ]. Possible reasons for this benefit include adequate communication with the patient, possible pain development, and restricted access to the treatment site due to the patient’s anatomy.…”

German Dentists’ Preferences for the Treatment of Apical Periodontitis: A Cross-Sectional Survey

“…Consequently, continuous and proper education and dental training should be offered to the dental society. This could be fulfilled by reviewing and re-evaluating the endodontic education programs on under- and postgraduate levels, as well as targeting the diagnostic and clinical skills of the dentists and also improving their self-efficacy and self-perceived competence [ 53 ]. Equally important, advanced diagnostic methods, such as artificial intelligence-guided techniques, should be introduced to support the clinical decision-making process based on scientific evidence and train the dentists to correctly interpret and diagnose the conditions [ 54 ].…”

The change in self‐efficacy of novice dentists in Endodontics within the first year following graduation from Aarhus University or the Academic Centre for Dentistry Amsterdam

“…Participants gave informed consent. Participation comprised filling out a questionnaire that contained the Endodontic General Self‐Efficacy Scale (Baaij & Özok, 2018 ; Baaij et al, 2020 ) and additional questions on their experience in Endodontics after graduation, their work environment, their referral behaviour and the postgraduation education they attended (Table S1 ). The questionnaires were in their national languages.…”