AWARENESS, KNOWLEDGE AND PRACTICES OF THE USE OF DIGITAL TECHNOLOGY AMONG A GROUP OF EGYPTIAN DENTAL STUDENTS AND PEDIATRIC DENTISTS: A CROSS-SECTIONAL STUDY

Document Type : Original Article

Authors

1 Department of Pediatric, Preventive, and Community Dentistry,Newgiza University

2 Department of Fixed Prosthodontics,MSA University

3 Department of Conservative Dentistry,MSA University

4 Department of Pediatric Dentistry.Msa University

Abstract

Introduction: Efforts toward incorporating technological advances in dentistry
have been successful and the trend toward further digitization is growing. Aim: This
research aimed to evaluate the awareness, understanding, perceptions, and practices
concerning the application of digital technology in dentistry among dental students
and pediatric dentists in Egypt. Materials and Methods: A cross-sectional online selfadministered
survey. The survey was delivered as a Google Form to 564 participants
including a group of final-year dental students and pediatric dentists in Egypt.
Results: Out of 564 responses, most students (81.7%) students and pediatric dentists
(89.9%) were significantly familiar with digital dentistry (p.005). 54.9% of students and
74.9% of dentists significantly reported attending educational courses related to digital
dentistry p < 0.05). Only 19.8% of students and 23.1% of dentists reported attending
CAD/CAM training programs. Both students (93.8%) and dentists (98.0%) agreed
significantly on digital dentistry’s precision over conventional methods (p=0.009)
they also agreed on digital dentistry’s time-saving impact. Most students (94.9%) and
dentists (98.0%) believed significantly in digital dentistry’s enhancement of patient
care quality (p=0.042). 54.5% of students felt skillful in using technology compared
to dentists (41.7%), showing a statistically significant difference (p=0.002) Higher
proportion of students (89.9%) envisioned significantly using digital dentistry in their
future careers compared to dentists (79.2%) (p=0.001). Remarkably, 100% of students
and dentists unanimously agreed on the importance of increasing knowledge in this
area.Conclusion: Including digital dentistry education in undergraduate programs and
providing specialized training for pediatric dentists can help bridge knowledge gaps

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