Document Type : Original Article
Authors
1 Dept. of Restorative Dentistry, Dental School, Rafsanjan University, Rafsanjan, Iran
2 Senior Lecturer/ Consultant in Restorative Dentistry, Tissue Engineering & Reparative Dentistry, Cardiff University, School of Dentistry, Cardiff, UK.
Abstract
Statement of Problem: Recently, usage and demand for posterior composite restorations (PCRs) have been rising in dentistry.Purpose: The purpose of this study was to determine the Iranian dental students' opinion regarding the teaching quality of PCRs.Materials and Method: In this descriptive study, 450 undergraduate dental students in the 5th and 6th years of education were randomly selected. A questionnaire was prepared with 41 questions based on the similar studies and restorative dentistry textbooks. The questionnaire contained question about the participants' satisfaction about the theoretical and practical methods of PCRs and their knowledge and ability in performing the PCRs. Validity and reliability of the questionnaire were confirmed by specialists of restorative dentistry and using test-retest. The data were analyzed by descriptive statistical methods.Results: The students had lower satisfaction concerning the quality of theoretical and practical teaching of PCRs than amalgam restorations and believed that there was no balance between the theoretical and practical teaching of PCRs. 1.6% of them believed that the time allocated to the teaching of PCRs was sufficient; 54.4% answered that self-evaluation of their learning was acceptable and 42.9% believed that preclinical teaching was not satisfactory. The content of the PCRs teaching covered only 50% of their needs in clinical practice. Also they believed that in their schools the amalgam was more preferred than composite and 97% stated that the amalgam restorations were taught before PCRs. The students' knowledge about contraindications of PCRs, principles of cavity design, indications for lining and basing, matrix and wedging techniques was assessed at a relatively good level of quality.Conclusion: The satisfaction level of the dental students about the time and amount of teaching in theoretical, preclinical and clinical courses of PCRs was less than that about amalgam restorations. Accordingly, it is noteworthy to modify the method of PCRs teaching especially in clinical courses.Key words: Posterior composite, Dental education, Operative dentistry, Curriculum, Dental student, Iran
)