Challenges Assessment in Endodontics Among Undergraduate Students

Abstract

To explore perceptions of undergraduate dental students regarding difficulties faced during endodontic procedures. MethodsAn e-questionnaire was sent to 57 fourth-year and 45 fifth-year dental students. It comprised questions regarding demographic data and difficulties faced during different steps of the endodontic treatment. The responses were recorded on a 5-point Likert scale. During dichotomization, responses where one and two were chosen were considered yes whereas responses where three, four, and five were chosen were considered no. The sample size (SS) calculated using the Qualtrics SS calculator was 89. Data were analyzed using SPSS version 20. Frequencies and percentages were calculated. A p-value of less than 0.05 was considered significant. The chi-square test was applied for comparison based on the students' academic year and genders. ResultsNinety students responded with an 88.2% response rate. Most students reported not facing any difficulty in differentiating healthy pulp and periapex from conditions of pulp pathosis (78.9%) and periapical pathosis (75.6%). Most males found access opening and de-roofing of the pulp chamber (35.6%) and working length determination (31.1%) difficult. Females reported having difficulty mostly in mesial and distal shift radiograph techniques (55.6%) and access openings (51.1%). No statistical difference was found based on an academic year or gender except in the use of mesial and distal shift techniques for radiograph acquisition ConclusionAssessing difficulties encountered by students during endodontic therapy can aid in the development of teaching strategies for preclinical and clinical instruction. Mesial and distal shift techniques, access cavity preparation, and working length determination are areas requiring more focus in the training process.

Cross-Sectional Survey to Assess Dental Students’ Perception of the Utilization of a Case Difficulty Assessment Form during Various Stages of Root Canal Therapy

“…The difference between this study's results and Alrahabi [ 3 ] is that the cases that are referred to the dental students in both KSU and KSAUHS are screened in advance. In 2023, Almutairi et al [ 10 ] concluded that the academic level did not significantly affect the student confidence while performing root canal treatment except in taking x-rays in mesial or distal shift.…”