Table 2 The instructional design of undergraduate endodontics in Saudi dental schools and the relationship between the collected categorical data and the type of dental school

Credit hours for preclinical courses

4 or less

21 (84)

14

7

P = 0.66

5 or 6

1 (4)

1

0

7 or 8

0 (0)

0

0

More than 8

3 (12)

3

0

Types of root canals used in the pre-clinic training

Canals in natural teeth

24 (96)

17

7

P = 0.38

Canals in plastic teeth available commercially

12 (48)

11

1

3D printed teeth with canals

4 (16)

3

1

Canals in acrylic blocks with simple curves

2 (8)

2

0

Canals in acrylic blocks with an S-shaped curve

0 (0)

Type of teeth allowed to be treated in the clinic

Incisors and canine

25 (100)

18

7

P = 0.54

Premolars

25 (100)

18

7

1^st molar

23 (92)

18

5

2^nd molar

9 (36)

6

3

Treatments allowed in the clinic

Vital pulp therapies

23 (92)

17

6

P = 0.82

Root canal treatment

25 (100)

18

7

Root canal re-treatment

17 (68)

12

5

Endodontic surgery

0 (0)

0

0

Treatment of immature teeth

5 (20)

2

3

Pulp regeneration

2 (8)

1

1

Minimum dental requirements

Yes

23 (92)

17

6

P = 0.49

No

2 (8)

1

1

Practical competency exam (preclinical)

Yes

23 (92)

15

7

P = 0.80

No

2 (8)

2

0

Clinical competency test

Yes

21 (84)

14

7

P = 0.54

No

2 (8)

2

0

No response

2 (8)

2

0

The use of treatment consent

Special endodontic treatment consent

8 (32)

7

1

P = 1.00

Embedded in the general dental tx consent

12 (48)

7

5

Verbal consent and mutual agreement

5 (20)

4

1

The use of difficulty assessment form

AAE difficulty assessment form

12 (48)

11

1

P = 0.37

A difficulty assessment form. (not AAE form)

3 (12)

1

2

No special difficulty assessment form

10 (40)

6

4

The level of case complexity

Cases of minimal difficulty

13 (52)

11

2

P = 0.21

Cases of moderate difficulty

12 (48)

7

5

Cases of high difficulty

0 (0)

0

0