Evaluation of Self-Efficacy in Final-Year Dental Students of Yazd Concerning Root Canal Therapy in 2025

Abstract

Introduction: Root canal treatment is considered one of the most challenging procedures in dentistry, and dental students are expected to acquire sufficient skills to perform it after graduation. However, many students experience a lack of confidence and stress when faced with this procedure. This study designed to evaluate the self-efficacy of final-year dental students at Shahid Sadoughi University of Medical Sciences in Yazd regarding root canal treatments.

Methods: This descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted on 74 final-year dental students who had successfully completed both theoretical and practical endodontic courses. Data were collected using a standardized questionnaire and analyzed using SPSS version 16. The questionnaire consisted of four sections: demographic information, students' experience, assessment of confidence levels in different stages of root canal treatment, and students' suggestions for improving education.

Results: The mean self-efficacy score among the students was 37.47 out of 60, indicating a moderate level of confidence. The highest confidence levels were observed in initial stages such as diagnosing teeth requiring root canal treatment and taking radiographs, while the lowest confidence was reported in more complex stages such as rubber dam placement and managing treatment complications. A significant difference was found between students’ confidence levels and their academic semester and their practical and theoretical course scores (P = 0.05). However, no statistical differences were observed based on gender or admission type (P>05).

Conclusion: The findings indicate that dental students' confidence in performing endodontic treatments, particularly the more complex stages, needs improvement. It is recommended to enhance students' self-confidence and skills by increasing training hours, using modern equipment, and providing more hands-on practice.