Perception and Knowledge of Dental Students and Dentists on the Management of Non-Carious Cervical Lesions: A Cross-Sectional Study.

INTRODUCTION

The combination of mechanical and chemical stress may lead to the development of non-carious cervical lesions (NCCLs), which can be challenging to manage. Professional scientific and technical mastery is essential, requiring close attention to knowledge development from the undergraduate learning process.

OBJECTIVES

This study aimed to (1) assess the knowledge of undergraduate dental students and dentists about the aetiology, diagnosis, and treatment of NCCLs; (2) compare self-reported and actual knowledge scores between the groups; and (3) identify the factors influencing these scores.

METHODS

After development and pilot testing, 70 dental students and 131 dentists from Brazil answered the electronic questionnaire with multiple-choice questions. The data were analysed descriptively and statistically using multiple linear regression analyses, with the actual knowledge score as the dependent variable.

RESULTS

The students overestimated their knowledge compared to their actual performance, whereas dentists' self-reported and actual knowledge scores were statistically similar. Dentists' actual knowledge values were significantly higher than those of undergraduate students. Additionally, the institution's region and type (public or private) represented the independent variables in the final regression model for undergraduates.

CONCLUSIONS

Brazilian undergraduate dental students and dentists have limited knowledge of NCCLs, and students overestimated their self-reported knowledge. These findings highlight the relevance of effectively integrating theoretical knowledge with clinical practice to improve the training of future professionals and enhance clinical decision-making.