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Self-Perceived Confidence in Pediatric Dental Procedures Among Final-Year Dental Students
Ceren Kaplan1, Melis Ünsal Çalışkaner2
1Department of Pediatric Dentistry, Faculty of Dentistry, Istanbul Altınbaş University, Istanbul, Turkey.
Purpose/Objectives:
This study aimed to assess the self-perceived confidence of final-year dental students in performing pediatric dental procedures. The study included students who had completed their pediatric dentistry internship.
Methods:
A descriptive, cross-sectional survey was conducted among final-year dental students (n = 46) at Istanbul Atlas University during the 2024-2025 academic year. Data were collected using a self-administered 15-item Likert-scale questionnaire assessing students' self-perceived confidence in performing pediatric dental procedures, including preventive and more technically demanding clinical interventions.
Results:
Students reported high levels of self-perceived confidence in basic pediatric dental procedures, such as fissure sealant application and oral hygiene education. Lower confidence was observed for more technically demanding procedures, including pulpotomy and stainless steel crown placement. Exploratory analyses initially identified gender differences in three questionnaire items; however, these differences were no longer statistically significant after adjustment for multiple comparisons.
Conclusion:
Final-year dental students reported high self-perceived confidence in routine pediatric dental procedures but lower confidence in technically demanding procedures. These findings may help identify areas where additional clinical experience and educational support could further enhance students' self-perceived confidence in pediatric dentistry.
