Resumo

SALLES, Alexandre Azevedo et al. Dental students' performance and perceptions on canal preparation: a mixed methods study. Rev. ABENO [online]. 2015, vol.15, n.1, pp. 97-109. ISSN 1679-5954.

This study explored dental students' performance (quantitative data) and perceptions (qualitative data) on canal preparation with Ni-Ti rotary vs. hand instruments and discussed interactions between technical findings and students' insights. A mixed methods design was used. Each student (n=20) instrumented two canals using hand K-files and two canals using ProTaper Universal® rotary Ni-Ti instruments. Participants had no previous experience with rotary instrumentation but were familiar with hand instrumentation. Quantitative data: apical transportation, working time for instrumentation and procedural errors were statistically analyzed. Qualitative data (students' perceptions) were collected and perceptions were identified from interview contents using thematic analysis. Lower level of apical transportation, fewer procedural errors (ledge/perforation/blockage), and a longer working time were associated with rotary instrumentation. Working time was shorter in the second canal instrumented with both techniques. Perceptions associated with hand in-strumentation were: better domain and practice/confidence due to the students being used to the hand technique. Ni-Ti rotary instrumentation perceptions were: good initial expectations before its use, perceptions of doubts and difficulties concerning workability right after its first use, and increase in confidence after its second use in a second canal. It was concluded that: (i) students show a cautious attitude towards rotary instrumentation; (ii) confidence increases after rotary instrumentation of the second canal; (iii) students show good expectations in terms of optimizing root canal treatment with rotary instrumentation and they think it would be possible after some training; and (iv) Ni-Ti rotary instrumentation should be included in the undergraduate curriculum of dental schools.

Palavras-chave : Dental education.; Students' perception.; Mixed methods research.; Endodontics.; Root canal shaping..