Assessment of Knowledge, Attitude and Practice of C-shaped Root Canals among Dental Students and Dentists in the Makkah Region of Saudi Arabia- A Cross-sectional Study

Abstract

Introduction: Thorough management of root canal anatomy and its variants is important for good prognosis of endodontic treatment. C-shaped root canal is one such important variation in root canal anatomy. Due to the complex nature of C-shaped root canals the clinicians should be familiar with this variation to achieve better success rate in endodontic treatment. Aim: To assess Knowledge, Attitude and Practice (KAP) among dental students and dentists of the Makkah region of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia towards C-shaped root canals. Materials and Methods: A cross-sectional questionnaire survey was conducted for a period of five months from 25th September 2020 to 25th February 2021 in Dentistry program of Ibn Sina National College for Medical Studies, Jeddah using a self-structured, close-ended, multiple-choice questionnaire consisting of 21 questions. The questionnaire was sent using online to 503 Dental students and Dentists of Makkah region of Saudi Arabia. The study population was selected using convenient random sampling. The questionnaire was constructed and validated with the help of five endodontists with adequate teaching and clinical experience. The data were analysed using IBM Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (SPSS) version 22.0 and descriptive statistics followed by Chi-square test was applied to test of variables in the questionnaire. Results: In the study population, 68.4% (n=344) were males and 31.6% (n=159) were females, 25.2% (n=127) were undergraduate students and 74.7% (n=376) were graduate dentists, 63.2% (n=318) believe most commonly C-shaped root canals are found in mandibular second molars, 49.3% (n=248) have strongly agreed that they are proficient in diagnosing C-shaped root canals, 75.7% (n=381) have agreed that knowledge of canal anatomy will be helpful during access preparation of C-shaped root canals, 48.5% (n=244) felt use of crown down technique will be effective in managing C-shaped root canals,72.8% (n=366) felt multiple visit endodontics is needed for successful management of C-shaped root canals and 25.8% (n=130) felt use of thermoplasticised gutta-percha compaction will be helpful in obturation. Conclusion: Knowledge of anatomical variations of root canal system and the use of advanced endodontic instruments and techniques will enable the dentists to handle difficult root canal cases thoroughly for good prognosis of dentition.

Keywords

• endodontic management
• mandibular second molar
• root canal anatomy