Publication:

Knowledge and attitudes of senior dental students and interns regarding the causes of endodontic procedural errors across various regions in Saudi Arabia

Background Aim of this study was to evaluate the knowledge of dental students among procedural errors and complications during endodontic treatment in Saudi Arabia.

Methods A questionnaire was sent to senior dental students and interns in different regions of Saudi Arabia. The questionnaire evaluated the knowledge of them in file separation, ledge, coronal perforation, sodium hypochlorite accident, and flare up.

Results The 88% believe that cone beam computer tomography (CBCT) is better than other types of radiographs in diagnosis root canal treatment errors. Additionally, root canal treatment errors are multifactorial. 60.2% of respondents experienced endodontic errors. Most participants (66.9%) believe that stainless steel file has higher chance to fracture than NiTi file. The most common reason that was chosen regarding file separation is “using old files”. In term of ledge, the respondents think that under-prepared access cavity is the main reason leading to a ledge. Regarding coronal perforation, the canal inclination was chosen as the most common reason. The respondents believe that “Stick the needle inside the canal with a heavy pressure” is the most common reason of sodium hypochlorite accident. Finally, the participants think that incomplete cleaning and shaping play important role in flare up.

Conclusions Depends on the results, the senior dental students and dental intern lack important information about some endodontic errors which are file separation and flare up. However, they have acceptable overall knowledge about ledge. Further studies should be performed regarding the managements and preventions.