Enhanced personal protective equipment and dental students' experience and quality of a restorative procedure in a simulated clinical setting

• Published in: Journal of dental education
• Main Authors: Miletic, Vesna, Avuthu, Rajiv, Zaprzala, Patrick, Divnic-Resnik, Tihana, Savic-Stankovic, Tatjana, Cabunac, Jovan, Stasic, Jovana N, Matic, Tamara
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: United States 25.05.2024
• Subjects: dental education; personal protective equipment; tooth preparation; Class II; dental materials; resin composite
• ISSN: 0022-0337; 1930-7837
• DOI: 10.1002/jdd.13593

To evaluate the effects of enhanced personal protective equipment (Enhanced_PPE) on student-operator's experience and restorative procedure. Student-operators (N = 29 Year 3 dental students) performed Class II composite restorations (SimpliShade, Kerr) in typodont upper molars (OneDental) equipped with N95 respirators, full-face shields, disposable headwear and gowns (Enhanced_PPE) or surgical masks, protective glasses/goggles and non-disposable gowns (Standard_PPE) 2 weeks later. Cavity dimensions were measured on cone beam computed tomography images. The quality of composite restorations was assessed using selected FDI criteria and Vickers hardness. A questionnaire assessed the operators' discomfort, anxiety, confidence, ability to perform, and procedure outcome. Data were analyzed using paired t-test and McNemar test (alpha = 0.05). Student-operators experienced greater discomfort and anxiety, reduced confidence and ability to perform, and rated the procedure as less satisfactory with Enhanced_PPE (p < 0.05). Differences in proximal box width were marginally significant (Enhanced_PPE 1.8 ± 0.4 mm, Standard_PPE 1.6 ± 0.3 mm) (p = 0.047). Other cavity dimensions were similar between groups (p > 0.05) as were restorations regarding surface luster, anatomical form, marginal adaptation, proximal contour, and contact (p > 0.05). There were no differences in the hardness of composite restorations (top p = 0.349, bottom p = 0.334). Enhanced_PPE led to student-operator discomfort, anxiety, and reduced confidence, but did not impact the quality of Class II preparation and composite restorations versus Standard_PPE.