ABSTRACT
@#Introduction: Assessment of root canal treatment (RCT) quality performed by undergraduate students is important in evaluating the teaching of endodontic. Hence, this study aims to evaluate the obturation quality of root canal treated teeth and the number of visits required by patients to complete RCT rendered by undergraduate students in School of Dental Sciences, Universiti Sains Malaysia (USM). Methods: All RCT cases performed by fourth year and final year undergraduate dental students in 2017/2018 were included in this study with a total of 258 teeth. Both digital and conventional periapical radiographs of all treated teeth were assessed. Evaluation of the obturation quality was classified as acceptable and unacceptable based on the length in relation to the radiographic apex and density of the obturation in relation to the presence of voids. The number of visits required to complete each RCT case by the students were also assessed. Results: Out of the total 258 teeth, 63.6% were maxillary and 36.4% were mandibular comprising 53.5% anteriors, 14.7% premolars and 31.8% molars. Overall acceptable obturation quality was 71.3%. There was significant association between obturation quality and type of teeth as well as location of teeth. Conclusion: Students in this institution performed significantly better obturation quality on anterior teeth than on premolars and molars as well as on maxillary teeth as compared to the mandibular teeth. Patients seemed to require more visits for RCT of molars than anteriors and premolars.