Quality of Root Canal Fillings Performed by Undergraduate Students at the College of Dental Medicine, University of Sharjah, UAE

Aim: The aim of this study was to assess the technical quality of root canal fillings performed by undergraduate students in the first clinical case assigned to them in their clinical years at the College of Dental Medicine, University of Sharjah, UAE. Material and Methods: Radiographs of 108 root canal treated teeth were examined to determine the quality of root canal fillings performed by undergraduate dental students on their first clinical case of endodontic treatment on a singlerooted tooth. Evaluations of the root-filled teeth were classified as being acceptable, under-filled or over-filled and with or without the presence of voids. The presence or absence of perforation and fractured instruments were also examined. Results: Results showed that out of 108 teeth treated, 84 cases(78%) were classified as acceptable, 9 (8%) as under filled and 15 (14%) as overfilled respectively. 31 (29%) cases had voids present within the root canal filling and 85% of the root canal fillings showed good taper. Conclusion: The learning experience provided to students through theoretical instructions and in-vitro laboratory exercises were able to achieve the expected clinical competency in endodontic for the novice general dental practitioners in undergraduate teaching clinics.