Level of confidence in exodontia among senior dental students and interns in Madinah: a cross-sectional study

Abstract

Objective: This study aimed to assess the level of confidence regarding exodontia among senior dental students and interns in Madinah, Saudi Arabia. Methods: A cross-sectional descriptive observational study was conducted using an online-based self-administered questionnaire consisting of 34 close-ended questions. It was divided into four sections, including demographic data, theoretical knowledge, clinical knowledge, and the level of confidence of exodontia. Results: The study group comprised of 84 participants. Most participants were females, 53.6%, and half were dental interns. Around 88.1% reported that they had sufficient knowledge to decide if a tooth was indicated for extraction or not. Almost 77.4% thought they had sufficient knowledge to assess case difficulty, and 72.6% had sufficient knowledge about the essential investigations needed to assess the difficulty of the case. However, 33.3% were less confident about extracting an ankylosed tooth, while 50% might need help, and 35.7% were less confident about extracting a partially impacted third molar and less confident about handling medical emergencies during dental extraction. Conclusion: The present study revealed that there is a need to enhance the level of confidence and knowledge related to exodontia among dental students and interns. Proper diagnosis of complex cases and choosing a suitable surgical procedure are essential factors in achieving the treatment outcome and could influence a good prognosis.