Dental laser education and knowledge among final year dental students at King Saud University in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia

Aim of the study

To assess the educational level and the knowledge of the final year dental students at King Saud University regarding the uses of laser in Dentistry.

Materials and methods

This cross-sectional, descriptive study was carried out at the College of Dentistry, King Saud University in Riyadh. A questionnaire was designed and answered by 94 final year dental students. The questionnaire consisted of 2 parts. First part was about dental laser education and the second one was about the knowledge of dental laser applications. The second part was sub-sectioned to 6 sections. Each section consisted of several items related to the uses of laser in 5 different dental specialties in addition to a section in laser protection. The analysis was performed by scoring 2 for a correct response, 0 for don’t know response and −2 for an incorrect response. Students’ knowledge scores were calculated and transferred to a scale ranged between 2 and −2. Score of ⩾1 was considered as sufficient knowledge, while score of <1 was considered as insufficient knowledge. Descriptive statistics of different items were assessed and analyzed using SPSS program.

Results

Most of the dental student (91.5%) reported that they did not have enough dental laser education. In general, the majority (76%) of dental students had insufficient knowledge regarding the uses of laser in Dentistry. Students’ knowledge of the uses of dental laser in Oral Surgery and Operative Dentistry was better than their knowledge in Periodontic, Pediatric Dentistry/Orthodontic and Endodontic.

Conclusion

Dental students at King Saud University had inadequate laser education and insufficient knowledge regarding the uses of laser in different specialties in Dentistry. More education about dental laser should be added to the curriculum of undergraduate program.