Assessment of Undergraduate Dentistry Students’ Experiences and Self-Confidence Levels During Endodontic Treatment: A Cross-Sectional Survey Study

Abstract

Objective: The goal of this study is to compare experi ences and self-rated confidence levels between 4th and 5th year students across endodontic assignments. Material and Methods: A survey con sisting of 26 questions was organized at the termination of the academic year with the involvement of 4th and 5th year students studying at Kırıkkale University Faculty of Dentistry in accordance with the Princi ples of the Declaration of Helsinki. First 16 questions were about levels of confidence. Other questions prepared as multiple choices are about their experiences in endodontic procedures. The data obtained after col lecting the questionnaires were analyzed by using chi-square, Fisher’s exact and Mann-Whitney U tests at the 5% significance level. Results: One hundred and sixteen students (64 of 72 4th and 52 of 62 5th grade stu dents) answered the survey. The participation rate was 86.27%. The Grade-5 group felt statistically more confident about radiographic tech niques, determining the working length, mechanical instrumentation and filling of the root canals (p=0.030, p=0.001, p=0.011, p=0.020). Com paring mechanical instrumentation in maxillary and mandibular molars, the Grade-4 group felt statistically significantly confident in instrumen tation of the mandibular molars (p=0.000). The Grade-4 group felt sta tistically more confident in performing periapical radiographs of maxillary anterior teeth (p=0.000) and the Grade-5 group of mandibular molars (0.001). Additionally, students think that endodontics are more difficult than other dentistry departments (p=0.000). Conclusion: Within the limitation of this study, evaluating the major student difficulties dur ing endodontic treatment may improve teaching strategies throughout preclinical and clinical education.