Amalgam and Composite Use among Dental Students in Saudi Arabia

Aim: The aim of this study was to detect the use of resin composite and amalgam restorations placed inpermanent posterior teeth by undergraduate dental students in university dental hospitals in Saudi Arabia.Materials and Methods: 276 patients aged ≥8 years were randomly selected and clinically examined foramalgam and resin composite restorations placed in permanent posterior teeth with living pulps byundergraduate dental students in university dental hospitals in Saudi Arabia. The restorations were placedin teeth preparations Class I and Class II. Also, bitewing and or periapical radiographs were used to definethe depth of the cavity. The data obtained were documented in a patient examination form then statisticallyanalyzed using Chi-Square Test or Fisher-Freeman-Halton Test.Results: Composite was the main kind of restoration placed by dental students. There was an insignificantrelationship between the kind of restoration (amalgam or composite) and the tooth type(maxillary/mandibular premolar and maxillary/mandibular molar), the class of tooth preparation, the cavitydepth, the age of the patient, and the gender of the patient p > 0.05.Conclusion: Composite was the most commonly restorative material used by dental students. Gradualreduction in the use of amalgam should be evidence-based. Students should obtain the necessarycompetencies for decision making according to each individual case.