Students’ performance in clinics and self-perceived Confidence in performing Endodontic procedures: A correlation study

  • Muhammad Qasim Javed College of Dentistry, Qassim University
  • Usman Anwer Bhatti Department of Operative Dentistry, College of Dentistry, Riphah International University, Islamabad, Pakistan
Keywords: Competency, Dental Education, Endodontics, Self Confidence, Undergraduate Dental Students

Abstract

Objective: The study aimed to evaluate undergraduate dental students’ self-perceived confidence in carrying out Endodontic procedures and correlating it with their performance in Endodontic clinics.

Methods: The correlational study was conducted on fifth year dental students at Qassim University, Saudi Arabia. The self-perceived confidence of students was assessed by using Endodontic Self-Perceived Confidence Scale (ESCS). The students’ endodontic clinical performance scores were obtained from the department head. Data were analyzed by IBM SPSS-23.0. Descriptive statistics were recorded as percentages, frequencies, and mean. Chi-square test was used for gender-wise comparison of all items of ESCS, Student t-test was used for comparing means and Pearson correlation coefficient was utilized for exploring correlation.

Results: Over all response rate was 91.8%. Students exhibited the highest confidence level for achieving rubber dam isolation (4.57±0.66) while the lowest confidence level was documented for the treatment of teeth with immature apices (2.82±0.95). The mean self-confidence score of male students on ESCS was higher than the female students (P-value=0.18). However, mean endodontic clinic score of female students was significantly higher than the male students (P-value=0.02). The insignificant correlation was noted between the students’ mean confidence scores and endodontic clinical performance scores (P-value=0.82).

Conclusions: The insignificant correlation between self-perceived confidence and clinic scores raises significant caveats for utilizing the self-assessment in the aforementioned group. Hence, the students should be adequately trained in self-assessment to prepare them for lifetime learning. Additionally, clinical instructors by creating a supportive learning environment should help students to deal with their shortcomings.

doi: https://doi.org/10.12669/pjms.39.1.6870

How to cite this: Javed MQ, Bhatti UA. Students’ performance in clinics and self-perceived Confidence in performing Endodontic procedures: A correlation study. Pak J Med Sci. 2023;39(1):203-208. doi: https://doi.org/10.12669/pjms.39.1.6870

This is an Open Access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0), which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited.

Author Biography

Usman Anwer Bhatti, Department of Operative Dentistry, College of Dentistry, Riphah International University, Islamabad, Pakistan

Department of Operative Dentistry, College of Dentistry, Riphah International University, Islamabad, Pakistan

Published
2022-12-02
How to Cite
Javed, M. Q., & Bhatti, U. A. (2022). Students’ performance in clinics and self-perceived Confidence in performing Endodontic procedures: A correlation study. Pakistan Journal of Medical Sciences, 39(1). https://doi.org/10.12669/pjms.39.1.6870