Evaluation of the Place of Chemo-Mechanical Caries Removal Method in Dental Education among Turkish Students

Abstract

Objective: To evaluate the place of chemo-mechanical caries removal (CMCR) methods within the scope of undergraduate education of two different dental faculties which located in close geography but with different socio-economic characteristics. Material and Methods: In this cross-sectional, descriptive study totally 130 participants (Ankara: n = 78 and Kinkkale: n = 52) were evaluated. A survey which consisting of 14 questions were conducted by face to face. Data was analyzed using the SPSS software. Frequency distributions and the Chi-Square test were applied. Results: 66.9% of the participants reported that they had knowledge about the chemomechanical caries removal method. 60% had knowledge about the mechanism of CMCR. Thirty-six point two percent of the participants from Ankara stated that they had knowledge about the CMCR mechanism and 40% did not know about any of the methods of CMCR. 52.8% of the respondents indicated that they should be minimally invasive in choosing the CMCR method. The most important reason for not choosing the CMCR method was inadequate method (32%) and takes too much time (32%). Conclusion: Significant differences were found between the students of the two cities regarding the awareness of the CMCR method. In order to overcome this disparity, the curriculum place of the CMCR method needs to be determined precisely and clearly.