Factors associated with the technical quality of root canal fillings performed by undergraduate dental students in a Malaysian dental school

ABSTRACT

Aim: A retrospective clinical audit was carried out on records of endodontic treatment performed bydental undergraduates. The audit was performed to evaluate the technical quality of root canal fillingsperformed by dental undergraduates and determine the associated factors. Methods: 140 records ofpatients who had received root canal treatment by dental undergraduates were evaluated throughperiapical radiographs by two examiners (ê=0.74). The root canal fillings had their quality evaluatedaccording to extent, condensation and presence of procedural mishap. Possible factors associatedwith technical quality such as tooth type, canal curvature, student level and quality of record keepingwere evaluated. Data were statistically analyzed using chi-square test (p<0.05). Results: Amongthe 140 root-filled teeth, acceptable extent, condensation and no-mishap were observed in 72.1%,66.4% and 77.9% cases respectively. Overall, the technical quality of 68 (48.6%) root-filled teethwas considered acceptable. Overall, non-acceptable root canal fillings were significantly morelikely to be observed in molars (69.2%), moderately and severely curved canals (71.4%) and juniorstudents (61.5%). There was no association between acceptable root canal fillings and quality ofrecord keeping. Conclusions: The technical quality of root canal fillings was acceptable in 48.6%cases and it was associated with tooth type, degree of canal curvature and student seniority.