Students’ perceptions and attitudes about digital dental technology is associated with their intention to use it

Abstract

Purpose/Objectives To investigate factors associated with predoctoral students’ intention to use dental technology in future practice using the theory of planned behavior. Methods A comprehensive survey was developed consisting of 29 questions grouped in three main domains: knowledge, perception, and suggestions. After students had completed their digital dentistry didactic courses in 2019, the University of Iowa‐College of Dentistry and Dental Clinics D2, D3, and D4 classes completed the survey. The D1 class was excluded because they had not finished their digital dentistry didactic courses. The survey data were tabulated for each class separately to compare trends among classes. Each response was analyzed individually before creating scores for the various subdomains. A linear regression analysis was used to create the final model for the outcome variable (intention to use technology). Results The response rate was 95% (n = 232). The mean age of participants was 25.7 years (SD = 2.7). There were significant differences between the classes in their knowledge (p < 0.0001), perceived quality of training (p < 0.0001), and all perceptions related to digital dentistry. Controlling for significant covariates among higher level students, there were significant associations between intention to use dental technology and greater knowledge scores (p = 0.05), attitude (p < 0.0001), subjective social norms (p = 0.02), and perceived control on the future use of technology (p < 0.0001). Conclusions Students may be motivated to use digital technology when they have good knowledge, feel that others are using it or endorsing its use, and perceive that they have control in their future practice.

Proposal for Introducing a Digital Aesthetic Dentistry Course in Undergraduate Program: Contents and Ways of Administration

“…This is perhaps a negligible point for all clinicians who have skills and competencies in dentistry, the professionals who have knowledge in the field and the ability to apply it to new opportunities that technology offers. This is no more true when young undergraduate or graduate students have to deal with a discipline that requires a strong clinical background together with the ability to use modern medical technologies and tools, as is the case with aesthetic digital dentistry [18]. Therefore, the university is required to provide fundamental knowledge in dentistry and clinical practise and to meet the needs of modern digital dentistry.…”

Pre‐doctoral dental students’ computer‐aided design/computer‐aided manufacturing‐related education, knowledge, attitudes and behavior: A national survey

“…It is therefore not surprising that digital dentistry education has grown in favor among dental educators. 18 Assessing dental students' experiences with CAD/CAM education can provide insight into the current state of this education and can help to develop recommendations for changes. Therefore, this study focused on pre-doctoral dental students' responses related to their CAD/CAM education, knowledge, attitudes, and behavior.…”

“…In addition to assessing CAD/CAM-related education in dental schools in the United States, it is also important to assess future dentists' CAD/CAM-related knowledge. Two previous studies by Sheba et al (2021) in the United States and Palanisamy et al (2019) in India explored this question in a general way. 17,18 The objective of our study was to investigate more specifically what dental students know about which procedures can be done with CAD/CAM and which materials can be used.…”

“…Two previous studies by Sheba et al (2021) in the United States and Palanisamy et al (2019) in India explored this question in a general way. 17,18 The objective of our study was to investigate more specifically what dental students know about which procedures can be done with CAD/CAM and which materials can be used.…”

“…Several authors assessed pre-doctoral dental students' attitudes toward the use of CAD/CAM vs. traditional approaches. 15,[18][19][20][21] The current survey analyzed dental students' attitudes toward this new technology in general and asked them what they liked about it and which challenges they encountered when using it. In addition, it inquired about the dental students' actual clinical CAD/CAM behavior and their intentions to use this technology in the future.…”