Abstract
Aim. We surveyed the uptake of nickel-titanium rotary files (NTRFs) among all dentists in Saudi Arabia. Methodology. A questionnaire encompassing endodontic performance and NTRF uptake was e-mailed to all members of the Saudi Dental Society. Data were collected from participants during a three-month period and were analyzed using χ 2 tests and correlation coefficients. Level of significance was set at P = 0.05. Results. The overall response rate was 30.6% (n = 490), and 82.9% were found to perform root canal treatment (RCT). Among the 406 RCT performers, general dentists formed the bulk (45%). Among endodontists, 91.5% were using NTRF (P < 0.001). Those who graduated between 1991 and 2000 used NTRF more than any other group did (78.4%, P = 0.05). Graduates from Europe and Australia used NTRF most frequently (100%, P = 0.001), followed by those from North America (87%, P = 0.001), and finally by Saudi Arabian graduates (68.7%). Male respondents performed more endodontic procedures and used NTRF significantly more often than female respondents did (males: 73%; females: 56.2%) (P = 0.001). The most significant reasons for not using NTRF were “unavailability” (64.7%, P ≤ 0.05) and “lack of experience” (54.1%, P ≤ 0.001). Conclusions. We found that NTRF usage was not as widespread in Saudi Arabia as in other developing countries. Therefore, we suggest an improved implementation of NTRF in undergraduate and postgraduate curriculums and the provision of educational courses with a greater focus on this development.
Highlights
There have been many developments in endodontics since the year 1990, the most prominent of which has been the introduction of nickel-titanium rotary files (NTRFs), which were introduced by Walia et al to overcome the rigidity of stainless-steel files, those in large sizes [1, 2]
These formed the bulk of the participants and included all dental students, endodontic residents, endodontists, dentists, individuals with advanced education in general dentistry, and all the other dental specialties that were practicing in Saudi Arabia during the time of study
This paper surveyed the endodontic performance and attitude towards NTRF uptake by different groups of practitioners residing in Saudi Arabia
Summary
There have been many developments in endodontics since the year 1990, the most prominent of which has been the introduction of nickel-titanium rotary files (NTRFs), which were introduced by Walia et al to overcome the rigidity of stainless-steel files, those in large sizes [1, 2]. It is known that nickel-titanium instruments possess many other favourable characteristics compared with stainless-steel files, such as resistance to torsional fracture and lower modulus of elasticity [1, 3]. Questionnaires are widely acknowledged as being a useful tool for identifying and collecting user feedback since they are objective, deliver results quickly, and are inexpensive This tool helps in identifying the problems facing the target group and helps to find solutions
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