Confidence level in performing endodontic treatment among final year undergraduate dental students from the University of Medical Science and Technology, Sudan (2014)

Abstract

Aim: This study is aimed to evaluate the confidence level of undergraduate final year dental students in performing root canal treatment (RCT) and how it may affect their performance and perception regarding endodontics. Materials and Methods: A self-administered questionnaire was distributed to the final year dental students, at the University of Medical Sciences and Technology, Khartoum, Sudan (2013–2014). A total of 21 students were requested to participate voluntary and were asked to score their level of confidence using a 5-point Likert's scale. Results: Response rate was 100%, all the students (100%) stated that the requirements set were enough, and 66.7% rated endodontic as average in terms of difficulty. When rating the mean of self-confidence for performing RCT in the dentition, maxillary teeth (2.43 ± 0.51) followed by mandibular teeth (2.71 ± 0.64) were higher, whereas the molars were the least. Higher scores of self-confidence were in administrating local anesthesia (4.24 ± 0.70), followed by root canal shaping by hand instrument (3.76 ± 0.54). No association was found between overall confidence level and the number of performed RCT (P = 0.721). No association was found between overall confidence level of students who were subjected to instrument fracture and their frequency of fracture (P = 0.507), supervisor' reaction (P = 0.587), and willingness to specialize in endodontics (P = 0.530). Conclusion: Students displayed high confidence in performing basic endodontic and treating single-rooted teeth. More exposure is recommended to enhance the students' self-confidence.