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Journals / ADO Klinik Bilimler Dergisi / 2026 / Cilt: 15 Sayı: 3

Evaluation of Dental Students' Knowledge and Competence in Diagnosing Periodontal Disease: A Cross-Sectional Survey Study

Diş Hekimliği Öğrencilerinin Periodontal Hastalık Teşhis Bilgi ve Yeterliklerinin Değerlendirilmesi: Kesitsel Anket Çalışması

Esra Ateş Yildirim(Bolu Abant İzzet Baysal)0000-0001-7029-5180
Pages
199–210
Publication Date
2026-09-25
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AI Summary & Key Takeaways

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⚡ TL;DR(Too Long; Didn't Read)

Conclusion:This study demonstrates that students' competence in diagnosing and treating periodontal diseases improves with increasing clinical experience, indicating that the educational process contributes to periodontal diagnosis.

📌 3 Key Takeaways

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Objective & Hypothesis:Aim:This study aimed to evaluate the knowledge and competence levels of 3rd, 4th, and 5th-year students in diagnosing periodontal disease.
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Key Findings & Data:Materials and Methods:In this cross-sectional survey study, a 25-item questionnaire was administered covering the identification and classification of periodontal diseases, clinical evaluation, confidence in the diagnosis-treatment process, application of clinical scales, access to resources, and desire for specialization.
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Conclusion & Impact:Conclusion:This study demonstrates that students' competence in diagnosing and treating periodontal diseases improves with increasing clinical experience, indicating that the educational process contributes to periodontal diagnosis.
🔬Design:Survey & Empirical Study
📍Scope:Comprehensive Sample
⚙️Variables:Periodontal hastalık · Periodontal tanı · Diş hekimliği öğrencileri

Abstract

Aim:This study aimed to evaluate the knowledge and competence levels of 3rd, 4th, and 5th-year students in diagnosing periodontal disease. Materials and Methods:In this cross-sectional survey study, a 25-item questionnaire was administered covering the identification and classification of periodontal diseases, clinical evaluation, confidence in the diagnosis-treatment process, application of clinical scales, access to resources, and desire for specialization. The relationships between grade levels and responses were statistically analyzed (p<0.05). Results:Significant relationships were found between grade levels and responses regarding the identification and classification of periodontal diseases, their evaluation, confidence in diagnosis and treatment processes, the application of clinical scales, access to resources, desire for specialization, and difficulties encountered (p<0.05). In the analysis of difficulties encountered in the diagnosis of periodontal disease, lack of theoretical knowledge was reported at a rate of 52% in the 3rd year, 23.5% in the 4th year, and 44.3% in the 5th year, with a lower rate observed in the 4th year. Concern about misdiagnosis was found to be significantly lower in the 5th year at a rate of 47.1%. Conclusion:This study demonstrates that students' competence in diagnosing and treating periodontal diseases improves with increasing clinical experience, indicating that the educational process contributes to periodontal diagnosis.

Özet

Amaç:Bu çalışmada 3., 4. ve 5. sınıf öğrencilerinin periodontal teşhis bilgi ve yeterlilik düzeylerini değerlendirmek amaçlanmıştır. Gereç ve Yöntem:Kesitsel tasarımdaki anket çalışmasında, periodontal hastalıkların tanımlanması, sınıflandırılması, klinik değerlendirme, tanı–tedavi süreçlerine güven, klinik ölçeklerin uygulanması, kaynaklara erişim ve uzmanlaşma isteğini içeren 25 soruluk bir anket uygulanmıştır. Sınıf düzeyleri ile yanıtlar arasındaki ilişkiler istatistiksel olarak analiz edilmiştir (p<0.05). Bulgular:Sınıf düzeyleri ile periodontal hastalıkların tanımlanması, sınıflandırılması, değerlendirilmesi, tanı–tedavi süreçlerine güven, klinik ölçeklerin uygulanması, kaynaklara erişim, uzmanlaşma isteği ve karşılaşılan zorluklara verilen yanıtlar arasında anlamlı ilişkiler bulunmuştur (p<0.05). Periodontal hastalık teşhisinde karşılaşılan zorluklara yönelik analizlerde, teorik bilgi eksikliği 3. sınıfta %52, 4. sınıfta %23,5 ve 5. sınıfta %44,3 oranında belirtilmiş olup 4. sınıfta bu oranın daha düşük olduğu görülmüştür. Yanlış teşhis koyma kaygısı ise %47,1 oranında 5. sınıfta belirgin şekilde daha düşük olduğu saptanmıştır. Sonuçlar:Bu çalışma, öğrencilerin periodontal hastalıkları teşhis ve tedavi etme yeterliliklerinin klinik deneyim arttıkça geliştiğini ortaya koymakta olup, eğitim sürecinin periodontal teşhisi üzerine katkı sağladığını göstermektedir. Bununla birlikte, öğrencilerin bildirilen güçlükleri ve mevcut eksiklikleri göz önüne alındığında, periodontal eğitim içeriklerinin güçlendirilmesi ve uygulamaya yönelik öğretim stratejilerinin geliştirilmesi gerekmektedir.

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Cite This Article

Yildirim, E. A. (2026). Evaluation of Dental Students' Knowledge and Competence in Diagnosing Periodontal Disease: A Cross-Sectional Survey Study. ADO Klinik Bilimler Dergisi, Cilt: 15 Sayı: 3, 199–210. https://doi.org/10.54617/adoklinikbilimler.1833999

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