Cognizance of Undergraduate Students toward Periodontal Ligament Injection in Exodontia

Aims: This study was aimed to develop a framework based on the existing knowledge among interns and dental students of their awareness of anesthesia technique which may help improve the treatment services provided to the community.

Study Design: Randomized clinical trial.

Place and Duration of Study: College of Dentistry, Taibah University, Madinah, Saudi Arabia between March 2017 and September 2017.

Methodology: The knowledge of Periodontal ligament (PDL) injection as a substitute technique for inferior alveolar nerve block (IANB) used by interns and dental students when performing tooth extraction. This was investigated using a questionnaire consisting of 10 questions and was distributed among 4th, 5th year students and interns at the college of dentistry, Taibah University, Saudi Arabia. Survey participants were asked about commonly administered injection techniques for extraction, awareness of periodontal ligament injection, periodontal injection technique, its point of entry, patient response, its effectiveness and the most common indication.

Statistical software SPSS® for mac .20, Chicago, IL, USA was used for statistical analysis.

Results: Injection technique commonly used for tooth extraction was 58.2%, 35.8% and 6% for nerve block, infiltration and PDL injection 6% respectively, significant difference at P- value (P≤0.05) was found between different academic level. Awareness of the PDL injection technique was 76.1% while 23.9% wasn’t aware, significant difference at P- value (P≤0.05) was found between different academic levels. Points of entry of PDL injection was 74.6%, 19.4% and 6% for gingival sulcus, attached gingiva and alveolar mucosa respectively, significant difference at P- value (P≤0.05) was found between different academic level. Participants using PDL injection for extraction and endodontic treatment was 44% while 56% not using it, significant difference at P- value (P≤0.05) was found between different academic levels. Patient response for periodontal injection was good for 50.7% of participants, significant difference at P- value (P≤0.05) was found between different academic level.

Conclusion: Most students know about PDL injection, but they only used it when routine IANB fails, they are also familiar with the technique, but need to increase their knowledge regarding indications and limitations of PDL injection.