Weimer, Johannes Matthias and Rink, Maximilian and Lippe, Alexa and Zoell, Lisa and Kuenzel, Julian and Lorenz, Liv and Sproll, Christoph and Buggenhagen, Holger and Mueller, Lukas and Pillong, Lukas and Weinmann-Menke, Julia and Hollinderbaeumer, Anke and Al-Nawas, Bilal (2025) Do dental students need sonography training? A prospective observational study. BMC MEDICAL EDUCATION, 25 (1): 596. ISSN , 1472-6920
Full text not available from this repository. (Request a copy)Abstract
IntroductionSonography is a key diagnostic tool in oral and maxillofacial surgery and complements other imaging methods such as computer tomography or X-rays. While X-ray courses are integral to dentistry students' training, ultrasound diagnostics have not been integrated into undergraduate and postgraduate training. This study investigates whether there is a demand for undergraduate sonography training among dental students.MethodsAn online questionnaire was developed by a team of experts (dentistry, maxillofacial surgery, otorhinolaryngology, radiology, and didactics) based on the "Checklist for Reporting Results of Internet E-Surveys (Cherries)". Multiple items addressed several topics using dichotomous ("yes"/ "no"), free text, and 7-level Likert answering formats (1 = not at all; 7 = fully and entirely). These included "personal data", "previous experience", "demand for ultrasound diagnostics in an undergraduate degree program", "desired topics of ultrasound training", "teaching methods", and "study materials". Dentistry students completed the questionnaire in the winter semester of 2023/24. The questionnaire's validity was assessed using factor analysis, reliability testing (Cronbach's Alpha, KR-20), and item discrimination.Results129 dental students participated (74% female). Many respondents (approx. 90%) were in higher semesters (6-10 semesters) and stated that they had not yet had any contact with ultrasound diagnostics (75%) and had not performed an ultrasound examination as yet (97%). The overall demand for ultrasound training was high (5.8 +/- 1.3), particularly for the mandibular joint (6.3 +/- 1.1), parotid gland (6.2 +/- 1.0), submandibular gland, sublingual gland (6.1 +/- 1.1), and floor of the mouth and tongue (5.9 +/- 1.4) topics. Concerning the teaching methods and teaching materials, "practical training on a proband" (82%), and the use of "teaching scripts" (85%), "video instructions" (74%), "digital pathological experts" (66%), "e-learning" (62%), and "blended learning" (52%) were most desired. The questionnaire demonstrated high reliability (Cronbach's Alpha 0.93-0.95), strong factor structure (84% and 64% variance explained), and effective item discrimination.ConclusionThe data suggest a demand for undergraduate ultrasound training in dentistry. A practice-oriented, digitally supported training should be developed and implemented.Clinical trial numberNot applicable.
| Item Type: | Article |
|---|---|
| Uncontrolled Keywords: | NECK ULTRASOUND; HEAD; EDUCATION; ULTRASONOGRAPHY; CHALLENGES; Dental education; Ultrasonography; Curriculum; Needs assessment; Diagnostic imaging |
| Subjects: | 600 Technology > 610 Medical sciences Medicine |
| Divisions: | Medicine > Lehrstuhl für Hals-Nasen-Ohren-Heilkunde |
| Depositing User: | Dr. Gernot Deinzer |
| Date Deposited: | 17 Apr 2026 08:58 |
| Last Modified: | 17 Apr 2026 08:58 |
| URI: | https://pred.uni-regensburg.de/id/eprint/67725 |
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