Page 85 - Demo

Novice dentists’ self-efficacy835Table 2 presents the results of linear regression analyses with independent variables from the baseline registration. When corrected for baseline self-efficacy, none of these variables had a significant impact on the change in self-efficacy. Results of linear regression with independent variables from the follow-up registration are shown in Table 3. The change in self-efficacy was positively associated with the amount of experience in performing root canal treatment after graduation. These results did not change substantially when corrected for programme or for baseline self-efficacy (results not shown).The median number of primary root canal treatments performed within the first year following graduation was 25, and the median number of retreatments was 1. Graduates from AU performed more primary root canal treatments than graduates from ACTA did (Mann-Whitney test: p < .001), and they referred fewer cases to another practitioner (Mann-Whitney test: p < .001) (Table 4). Although the number of referrals for primary root canal treatments was negatively correlated with the number of primary root canal treatments that the novice dentists performed themselves (correlation = −0.28, p = .03), no correlation was found after correction for the programme from which the novice dentists had graduated (Table 5). Both the number of root canal treatments performed and novice dentists’ average self-efficacy were positively correlated with the number of cases they referred for endodontic surgery (Table 5). Graduates from ACTA performed emergency treatments more frequently than graduates from AU did (Fisher’s exact test: p = .008). Treatment following dental trauma was rarely performed by the graduates from both AU or ACTA, but graduates from AU performed consultations following dental trauma more frequently compared with the graduates from ACTA (Fisher’s exact test: p = .005) (Figure 2). Experience with emergency treatments, or providing care following dental trauma was not associated with the change in self-efficacy (Table 3). Approximately 70% of the participants, both graduates from AU or ACTA, had similar materials available in the practice to the ones which were available during their undergraduate dental training (Fisher’s exact test: p = .58). Availability of familiar equipment was not associated with the change in self-efficacy (Table 3). The items participants reported that they missed in the practice are listed in Table S2. The frequency of encountering problems was similar for graduates from AU or ACTA (Table S3). Encountering difficulties in diagnosing endodontic cases, difficulties in determining the prognosis of a tooth, complications whilst performing root canal treatment, or post-operative complaints from patients were not associated with the change in self-efficacy (Table 3). Annemarie Baaij.indd 83 28-06-2023 12:26