Keywords
Abstract
The aim of this study was to determine the perception of dental and dental assisting students regarding the roles and tasks of dental assistants in a dental office. The study was conducted at the Institute of Tropical Odonto-Stomatology of Madagascar (IOSTM), University of Mahajanga, Madagascar. It was a descriptive cross-sectional study that lasted for 6 months, with a study period of one month. The study population included students in dentistry and dental assisting at IOSTM. All students present during the survey days were included, and those with incomplete survey forms or those reluctant to participate were excluded. The sampling was exhaustive. Data were collected, coded, processed in Excel, and analyzed using the SPSS 20.0 software. Survey authorization from the institute's management and approval from the IOSTM ethics committee were obtained.
The male gender represented 67.2% of the sample. Dentistry students were more numerous (70.6%) than dental assisting students (29.4%). Almost all students (81.9%) considered dental assistants indispensable in a dental office. Assisting in taking impressions was the most recognized task by students (92.2%), followed by patient reception and seating (88.2%).
Dental assistants are deemed indispensable and play a crucial role in providing quality dental care. Establishing comprehensive training and enhancing students' skills would be a major asset in this continually evolving profession.
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