PT  - JOURNAL ARTICLE
AU  - Narayanaraopeta, Udaya
AU  - AlShwaimi, Emad
TI  - Preclinical endodontic teaching
AID  - 10.15537/smj.2015.1.9336
DP  - 2015 Jan 01
TA  - Saudi Medical Journal
PG  - 94--100
VI  - 36
IP  - 1
4099  - http://smj.org.sa/content/36/1/94.short
4100  - http://smj.org.sa/content/36/1/94.full
SO  - Saudi Med J2015 Jan 01; 36
AB  - Objectives: To provide an overview of the general curricula in preclinical endodontic training from 6 established dental schools in Saudi Arabia.Methods: This study was conducted in January 2014 including only schools that had more than 2 groups of student graduates prior to the study. We included 2 dental schools from the Central region, one from Qassim region, one from the Makkah region (west), one from Abha region (south west), and one from the eastern region. An internet-based questionnaire was sent to the course directors of preclinical endodontics department of the 6 schools. The survey comprised 20 questions that examined various aspects of preclinical endodontics.Results: It was demonstrated that a significant number of faculty members had Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) degrees (n=21), Master’s degrees (n=15), and Saudi board certifications (n=8). We determined that the faculty to student ratio varied from 2:1 to 8: 1 among the colleges. The participating dental schools were found to teach the Step Back, as well as the Step Down techniques for root canal preparation. Five of the 6 schools implemented the use of nickel titanium rotary instruments. All dental schools predominantly used radiographs as the means of the working length determination.Conclusion: The curriculum for preclinical endodontics in Saudi Arabia is comparable to that followed in most European countries. A more comprehensive survey is needed that would involve more schools to formulate generalized guidelines for preclinical endodontic training in Saudi Arabia.