Stomatološki glasnik Srbije (Jan 2013)
Posterior composite restorations: Theoretical and practical teaching of undergraduate students in Serbia and abroad
Abstract
Introduction. Due to the educational process inertia based on textbook literature, teaching of undergraduate students in dental schools is often behind modern practice. From the aspect of minimally invasive dentistry, composites are materials of choice for the reconstruction of most lesions in posterior teeth. The objective of the study was to systematize data about theoretical and practical teaching of undergraduate students regarding the application of posterior resin composites in the world’s dental schools and compare it with the data obtained from the School of Dental Medicine, University of Belgrade. Material and Methods. MEDLINE database was searched for articles based on keywords dental education and posterior composites. Only articles published in the last five years and those which used the same questionnaire were included in the study. Results. Data were analyzed for the dental schools from the UK and Ireland, Spain, Japan, United States and Canada. Increased theoretical and practical teaching of students regarding posterior composites is noted in most schools. The dominant contraindication for using resin composite is allergy to its ingredients. Rubber dam is the most common method of providing aseptic conditions and dry field in the world, whereas in our school it is used in negligible number of cases. In a number of schools, metal matrices and wooden wedges are recommended for the proximal cavity restoration. Glass-ionomer cement is commonly used as a liner. Polishing and finishing of restorations is performed in the same session in 90-100% of the schools except in Japan, where it is carried out after 24 hours. Conclusion. Theoretical and practical teaching of posterior composite restorations is increasing in the world’s dental centers. It is necessary to harmonize teaching in our school with international trends in the use of rubber dam, certain aspects of cavity design and protocols for the treatment of deep caries lesions.
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