Laboratory teaching in endodontics and the development of technical competencies

uma análise da qualidade das obturações realizadas por estudantes de Odontologia da UFC-Sobral

Abstract

Practical dental education activities permeate the academic trajectory in an integrated and interdisciplinary manner, fostering the development of specific competencies and skills. In the endodontics discipline, preclinical training is essential for student learning. This study aimed to evaluate the quality of root canal fillings performed by dentistry students at the Federal University of Ceará, Sobral campus, during the Endodontics Laboratory course. A total of 177 extracted human teeth filled by the classes of 2023 and 2024 were evaluated. The teeth were numbered, separated by tooth groups, and digitally radiographed. For filling analysis, the parameters of filling extension, conicity, and filling density were considered. The items were classified as adequate or inadequate according to predefined criteria. Two evaluators were calibrated intra- and inter-examiner (Kappa index 0.8 and 0.87, respectively). The chi-square test showed a significant association between the evaluated parameters and filling quality (p ≤ 0.001). In 71.6% of the teeth, the filling was considered adequate. The most deficient criterion was filling density (53.7%), followed by canal conicity (24.9%). Molars were the teeth with the highest inferences of filling density failure (66.7%). The results show that students generally perform adequate fillings. Only the item related to filling density, particularly in the molar dental group, presented significant flaws, indicating the need for specific interventions in the course's didactic and pedagogical approaches to improve performance.