Comparison of Theoretical Knowledge in Endodontics Between Intern Dental Students With 1- and 2-Year Clinical Training

Abstract

Background: This study investigates the impact of clinical training duration on theoretical knowledge in the field of endodontics among senior dental students. Written examinations, typically in the form of multiple-choice tests, are widely utilized to assess the level of theoretical knowledge. The primary aim of this study is to determine whether a statistically significant difference exists in the theoretical knowledge of students with differing durations of clinical training and to
evaluate the contribution of clinical experience to academic knowledge acquisition.

Methods: This cross-sectional study included 64 fourth-year and 64 fifth-year dental students, reflecting 1 and 2 years of clinical training, respectively. A total of 50 multiple-choice questions were designed by experts, covering 10 key domains of endodontics. Each domain included 5 questions with 5 alternatives. The survey was administered anonymously via Google Forms and participation was voluntary.

Results: In this analysis, no statistically significant difference was found between fourth- and fifth-year students in terms of the mean number of correct answers for any of the examined subject areas or the overall total (all P-values ≥ .05).

Conclusion: This study demonstrates that extending the duration of clinical training from 1 to 2 years does not necessarily translate into superior theoretical knowledge in endodontics. The parity of performance across all examined domains challenges conventional assumptions that experiential depth alone ensures academic enrichment. Instead, these findings underscore the necessity of vertically integrated curricula that bridge clinical exposure with structured cognitive reinforcement.

Cite this article as: Eren İ. Comparison of theoretical knowledge in endodontics between intern dental students with 1- and 2-year clinical training. Essent Dent. 2026, 5, 0068, doi:10.5152/EssentDent.2026.25068.