Ağız Cerrahisi Kliniğinde Öğrenciden-Öğrenciye Lokal Anestezi Uygulamasına İlişkin Komplikasyonlar ve Öğrenci Algısı: Tanımlayıcı Araştırma

Abstract

Objective: Student-to-student practice is the one of the most common preclinical training method for local anesthesia education in dentistry. However, the complications in this modality are relatively less known. This study aimed to evaluate the rate and types of complications and the perception of student-to-student local anesthesia education during dental education. Material and Methods: This prospective, single-center study was conducted on fourth-year dental students. As part of their clinical education, students performed inferior alveolar block anesthesia on each other at the oral surgery department. Two days after the training, local and systemic complications linked to local anesthesia were assessed. Overall perception and satisfaction level of the students related to the practice and education modality were also evaluated. Results: The study included 44 participants [median age, 22 years; female, 26 (59%)]. The rate of any local complication was 72.7%. Pain and burning on the injection site (65.9%) and trismus (15.9%) were the most common complications. Hematoma, soft tissue injury, facial paralysis, subluxation, and syncope were also observed (2.3%). All participants recommended the practice for future applications, while 88.6% were willing to access advanced educational modalities such as simulation. Also, 97.7% agreed that the student-to-student local anesthesia education improved their empathy level toward patients. The overall satisfaction level was 87.5% (70%-90%). Conclusion: Local complications were common after student-to-student inferior alveolar block anesthesia. On the other hand, the students were overall satisfied by this unique educational practice.