Evaluation of the quality of endodontic access cavities made by students of the institute of dentistry and stomatology of Dakar

Abstract

The aim of this study was to evaluate the technical quality of endodontic access cavities performed by M1 and M2 students during the clinical teaching of endodontics. The study population consisted of patients who came for consultation in the clinic of the Conservative Odontology-Endodontics Department of the Institute of Odontology and Stomatology of Dakar. The inclusion criteria were for teeth for which endodontic treatment was indicated and an access cavity was performed for the first time and exclusively by a student as part of the clinical training in endodontics. A survey form was drawn up containing the following headings: contour shape, visibility of canal entrances, body shape, and accidents along the way (stop, perforations, or flattening of the pulp floor). The chi-squared test was used to compare quantitative and qualitative variables and the significance level was set at p<0.05.A total of 139 endodontic access cavities were made by students (56.8% by Master 2 (M2) students and 43.2% by Master 1 (M1) students). Of these, 35% of the access cavities made by M1 students were acceptable versus 44% acceptable for M2. The difference was statistically significant (p<0.05).It appears from this study that the rate of technically acceptable access cavities made by the students of the Institute of Odonto-Stomatology of Dakar was insufficient. Thus, modifications must be made in the preclinical and clinical training program of Endodontics students.