Difficulties Encountered During Transition from Preclinical to Clinical Endodontics Among Salman Bin Abdul Aziz University Dental Students

Overview

Journal J Int Oral Health

Date 2015 Jul 31

PMID 26225100

Citations 5

Authors

Mubashir Baig Mirza

Affiliations

Soon will be listed here.

Abstract

Background: The quality of academic training can best be analyzed by including the student's perceptions. The aim of this study is to evaluate the short comings in preclinical endodontic training and also to find out key areas to stress upon for better student understanding and treatment outcome.

Materials And Methods: A total of 72 structured questionnaires were distributed to the dental students who have already entered or finished clinical endodontic training in 4(th) year after successfully completing the preclinical endodontic course in 3(rd) year. The questions were focused on the list of difficulties encountered during each step of endodontics including patient consideration, access related difficulties, difficulties during working length determination, cleaning and shaping and obturation. The difficulty level for each of the questions was also rated on a scale of 1-3. About 88% of the questionnaires were returned for evaluation. The obtained answers were analyzed generating a data showing the type and level of difficulty.

Results: Locating the apical constriction and controlling the length of the master cone has the highest percentage of difficulty among all the groups.

Conclusions: This study helped in highlighting key areas of difficulties faced by the students. The training for students in future needs to be amended so that they are better able to manage such difficulties.

Citing Articles

Cross-Sectional Analysis of the Challenges Faced by Undergraduate Dental Students During Root Canal Treatment (RCT) and the Oral Health-Related Quality of Life in Patients After RCT.

Mirza M, Almuteb A, Alsheddi A, Hashem Q, Abuelqomsan M, AlMokhatieb A Medicina (Kaunas). 2025; 61(2).

PMID: 40005332 PMC: 11857498. DOI: 10.3390/medicina61020215.

Assessment of Confidence Levels of Undergraduate Senior Dental Students and Interns' During Endodontic Treatment Procedures in a Sample From Saudi Arabia.

Madfa A, Almansour M, Al-Zubaidi S, Almohefer S, Alajlan S, Alsaleh M Adv Med Educ Pract. 2025; 16:165-176.

PMID: 39927176 PMC: 11806913. DOI: 10.2147/AMEP.S488032.

Changes in the Difficulty of Endodontic Cases Treated by Undergraduate Students at a University Clinic Between 1971 and 2019.

Sunde P, Skallevold E, Kaur M, Orstavik D Clin Exp Dent Res. 2025; 11(1):e70071.

PMID: 39803930 PMC: 11726366. DOI: 10.1002/cre2.70071.

Difficulties Faced by Undergraduates While Conducting Endodontic Therapy.

Almutairi N, Alharbi A Cureus. 2024; 16(1):e52217.

PMID: 38352076 PMC: 10863364. DOI: 10.7759/cureus.52217.

Assessing Confidence Levels in Endodontic Procedures Among Senior Undergraduate Dental Students at Qassim University, Saudi Arabia: A Cross-Sectional Observational Study.

Altorisy A, Ahmad M Cureus. 2023; 15(8):e43649.

PMID: 37719548 PMC: 10505051. DOI: 10.7759/cureus.43649.

References

Rolland S, Hobson R, Hanwell S . Clinical competency exercises: some student perceptions. Eur J Dent Educ. 2007; 11(3):184-91. DOI: 10.1111/j.1600-0579.2007.00453.x. View

Cheung G, Liu C . A retrospective study of endodontic treatment outcome between nickel-titanium rotary and stainless steel hand filing techniques. J Endod. 2009; 35(7):938-43. DOI: 10.1016/j.joen.2009.04.016. View

Modaresi J, Dianat O, Soluti A . Effect of pulp inflammation on nerve impulse quality with or without anesthesia. J Endod. 2008; 34(4):438-41. DOI: 10.1016/j.joen.2008.01.014. View

Stabile P, Reader A, Gallatin E, Beck M, Weaver J . Anesthetic efficacy and heart rate effects of the intraosseous injection of 1.5% etidocaine (1:200,000 epinephrine) after an inferior alveolar nerve block. Oral Surg Oral Med Oral Pathol Oral Radiol Endod. 2000; 89(4):407-11. DOI: 10.1016/s1079-2104(00)70120-x. View

DEMPSTER W, Adams W, DUDDLES R . ARRANGEMENT IN THE JAWS OF THE ROOTS OF THE TEETH. J Am Dent Assoc. 1963; 67:779-97. DOI: 10.14219/jada.archive.1963.0364. View

Kim E, Marmo M, Lee C, Oh N, Kim I . An in vivo comparison of working length determination by only root-ZX apex locator versus combining root-ZX apex locator with radiographs using a new impression technique. Oral Surg Oral Med Oral Pathol Oral Radiol Endod. 2008; 105(4):e79-83. DOI: 10.1016/j.tripleo.2007.12.009. View

Hannan L, Reader A, Nist R, Beck M, Meyers W . The use of ultrasound for guiding needle placement for inferior alveolar nerve blocks. Oral Surg Oral Med Oral Pathol Oral Radiol Endod. 1999; 87(6):658-65. DOI: 10.1016/s1079-2104(99)70156-3. View

Qualtrough A, Whitworth J, Dummer P . Preclinical endodontology: an international comparison. Int Endod J. 1999; 32(5):406-14. DOI: 10.1046/j.1365-2591.1999.00253.x. View

Bush H, Bissell V . The evaluation of an approach to reflective learning in the undergraduate dental curriculum. Eur J Dent Educ. 2008; 12(2):103-10. DOI: 10.1111/j.1600-0579.2008.00508.x. View

10.

Sjogren U, Hagglund B, Sundqvist G, Wing K . Factors affecting the long-term results of endodontic treatment. J Endod. 1990; 16(10):498-504. DOI: 10.1016/S0099-2399(07)80180-4. View

11.

Parashos P, Messer H . The diffusion of innovation in dentistry: a review using rotary nickel-titanium technology as an example. Oral Surg Oral Med Oral Pathol Oral Radiol Endod. 2006; 101(3):395-401. DOI: 10.1016/j.tripleo.2005.02.064. View

12.

Oliver R, Kersten H, Vinkka-Puhakka H, Alpasan G, Bearn D, Cema I . Curriculum structure: principles and strategy. Eur J Dent Educ. 2008; 12 Suppl 1:74-84. DOI: 10.1111/j.1600-0579.2007.00482.x. View

13.

Divaris K, Barlow P, Chendea S, Cheong W, Dounis A, Dragan I . The academic environment: the students' perspective. Eur J Dent Educ. 2008; 12 Suppl 1:120-30. DOI: 10.1111/j.1600-0579.2007.00494.x. View

14.

Wilson S, Johns P, Fuller P . The inferior alveolar and mylohyoid nerves: an anatomic study and relationship to local anesthesia of the anterior mandibular teeth. J Am Dent Assoc. 1984; 108(3):350-2. DOI: 10.14219/jada.archive.1984.0005. View

15.

Kanaa M, Meechan J, Corbett I, Whitworth J . Speed of injection influences efficacy of inferior alveolar nerve blocks: a double-blind randomized controlled trial in volunteers. J Endod. 2006; 32(10):919-23. DOI: 10.1016/j.joen.2006.04.004. View

16.

Sonntag D, Barwald R, Hulsmann M, Stachniss V . Pre-clinical endodontics: a survey amongst German dental schools. Int Endod J. 2008; 41(10):863-8. DOI: 10.1111/j.1365-2591.2008.01438.x. View

17.

Lynch C, Burke F . Quality of root canal fillings performed by undergraduate dental students on single-rooted teeth. Eur J Dent Educ. 2006; 10(2):67-72. DOI: 10.1111/j.1600-0579.2006.00397.x. View

18.

Walton R . Current concepts of canal preparation. Dent Clin North Am. 1992; 36(2):309-26. View

19.

Hoer D, Attin T . The accuracy of electronic working length determination. Int Endod J. 2004; 37(2):125-31. DOI: 10.1111/j.0143-2885.2004.00764.x. View

20.

Whitworth J, Seccombe G, Shoker K, Steele J . Use of rubber dam and irrigant selection in UK general dental practice. Int Endod J. 2001; 33(5):435-41. DOI: 10.1046/j.1365-2591.2000.00329.x. View