Journal of AdvancedMedical and Dental Sciences Research

Introduction: Awareness about dental implants is increasing among dental patients, which demands a higher level of competence for dental students. So, the objective of this study was to assess the knowledge and perception about different fields of Dentistry among First year Undergraduate Students. Materials and methods: This cross-sectional questionnaire-based survey was conducted amongst First year under-graduate Dental Students. The sample included all those students who were present at the time of survey. Data collection were carried out during the academic schedules of the colleges, supervised, and monitored by the investigators. Collected data were coded, entered and descriptive analysis was carried out. Results: A majority of the total (64.6%) and 69.2% of 5th year respondents perceived to be moderately well-informed about dental implants. The main advantage of dental implants was thought to be longevity by 63.1% of total and 58.4% of 5th year students; only 37.6% of the total and 52.2% of 5th year students said the main advantage of dental implants is they are more conservative than other tooth-replacement modalities. Highest percentage of the total respondents (41.9%) said most important factor for implant success to be implant type and material, whereas 69.8% of 5th year students said case selection. Those who felt dental implants require additional oral hygiene maintenance and care by the patient and dentist were 68.4% of total and 78.1% of 5th year students. Over two-thirds (77.5%) of total thought that economic feasibility will limit use of dental implants. The difficulty encountered to place implants was perceived to be average by 66.8% of total and 68.1% of 5th year. There were differences in the perception and knowledge at different academic levels, but not as expected. Conclusions: It could not be concluded that knowledge about dental implants increased with increase in academic level. Even at the late-clinical year a majority of students gave unsatisfactory responses.