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Self‐reported confidence and anxiety over endodontic procedures in undergraduate students—Quantitative and qualitative study
Author(s) -
Luz Luciana Batista,
Grock Camila Hélen,
Oliveira Vanessa Farias,
Bizarro Lisiane,
Ardenghi Thiago Machado,
Ferreira Maria Beatriz Cardoso,
Montagner Francisco
Publication year - 2019
Publication title -
european journal of dental education
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.583
H-Index - 41
eISSN - 1600-0579
pISSN - 1396-5883
DOI - 10.1111/eje.12456
Subject(s) - anxiety , feeling , graduation (instrument) , medicine , focus group , dentistry , psychology , qualitative research , endodontics , state trait anxiety inventory , clinical psychology , psychiatry , social psychology , geometry , mathematics , marketing , business , social science , sociology
Purpose The current literature shows a growing interest to assess the feelings and perceptions of students associated with the performance of elective endodontic procedures. This study aimed to evaluate the students' anxiety and self‐perceptions related to performing such treatments. Methods Forty‐five students participated in the research (G1 = 22 beginners students; G2 = 23 senior students). Demographic data, STAI‐State and Numerical Rating Scale (NRS) for pre‐operative anxiety were completed before the appointment with patient. The STAI‐Trait; NRS for post‐operative anxiety; previous experiences in endodontics; and level of confidence in each stage of endodontic treatments were collected after appointment. Focal groups for qualitative data collection were performed on separate occasion. Results Both groups showed higher scores in STAI‐State than for STAI‐Trait scale. G1 showed higher levels of anxiety in the pre‐operative, compared with post‐operative moment in the NRS scale. G2 reported feeling more confidence to insert intracanal medication and to restore teeth between appointments than G1. In both focus groups, participants reported insecurity in performing endodontic procedures due to difficulty in visualisation and to anatomic complexities. G1 reported that all the confidence they had was based in pre‐clinical experience, and G2 mentioned concern about the end of graduation. Conclusion The participants' anxiety diminishes as they gain more experience in performing endodontic procedures. However, as they approach the end of the course anxiety levels increase. Greater availability of elective courses in endodontics could be a valuable alternative to provide students with more exposure to and experience with these procedures.