Use of technology in endodontics by undergraduate dental students in a southeastern state of Brazil

Abstract: Introduction: This study aimed to determine the level of incorporation of current technologies for endodontic treatment in undergraduate dentistry courses in a southeastern state of Brazil. Methods: For data collection, a self-assessment-based online questionnaire was created using the “Google Forms” platform, consisting of 12 multiple-choice and a few open-ended questions. The questions were related to the use of current technologies for diagnosis, imaging, use of ultrasonics in endodontics, instrumentation, use of apex locator, microscopy, photodynamic therapy, and thermoplastic techniques during endodontic treatment. The questionnaire was sent to 54 dental schools in Minas Gerais. Results: The results show low technological incorporation during the various stages of endodontic treatment by undergraduate students in dentistry courses in Minas Gerais. Conclusion: Despite the availability of several technologies to help perform different stages of endodontic treatment, it was observed that most universities do not teach the use of these technologies. Additional studies are needed to correlate how the lack of incorporation of these technologies could impact on the quality of the endodontic learning for undergraduate students Keywords: endodontics; root canal therapy; technology.摘要： 引言：本研究旨在评估巴西东南部米纳斯吉拉斯州口腔医学本科课程中，牙髓治疗相关现有技术的应用融入水平。 方法：数据收集环节，研究团队基于自我评估框架，通过"Google Forms"平台编制线上问卷，问卷包含12道单项选择题及若干开放式问题，内容覆盖牙髓治疗（endodontics）各流程所涉及的各类现有技术，包括诊断技术、影像学检查、牙髓超声操作、根管预备、根尖定位仪（apex locator）使用、显微技术、光动力疗法（photodynamic therapy）以及热塑成型技术等。该问卷被发送至米纳斯吉拉斯州的54所牙科学院。 结果：结果显示，米纳斯吉拉斯州口腔医学本科学生在牙髓治疗各阶段的技术应用融入程度普遍偏低。 结论：尽管现有多种技术可辅助完成牙髓治疗的不同环节，但调研发现多数高校并未开设相关技术的教学课程。未来仍需开展更多研究，以明确此类技术的缺失会对本科学生的牙髓治疗学习质量产生何种影响。 关键词：牙髓病学（endodontics）；根管治疗（root canal therapy）；技术