A SURVEY DONE AMONG DENTAL STUDENTS ON THEIR KNOWLEDGE IN ENDODONTIC MICROBIOLOGY

Introduction: Knowledge of endodontic microbiology and microbial organization in the root canal system is important for understanding the disease process and for establishing effective antimicrobial therapeutic strategies. The purpose of this survey is to summarize the knowledge of 5-year Bulgarian dental students about endodontic infections and their treatment. Materials and Methods: The survey includes students from FDM-Sofia who were asked to answer 11 questions online. The questions relate to species characteristics and microbial count of microorganisms in infected root canals in primary and persistent infections, apical periodontitis and overtreatment. Additional information on the respondents' age and gender has been collected and the data has been analyzed using descriptive statistic. Results: Ninety-three students participated in the survey, 31.52% of whom reported that over 300 microbial strains could be isolated from infected root canals. In apical periodontitis 8.7% reported 20-40 strains. 47.83% indicated that the microbial count in an infected root canal in a primary endodontic infection is 10(5). Streptococcus spp. is indicated as the main reason for persistent infections by 53.26% and Enterococcus faecalis by 25%. 40.22% have chosen Streptococcus spp. as the primary species associated with overtreatment, 27.17% have chosen Peptpstreptococcus and 19.57% - Enterococcus faecalis. 85.87% associate pain with Peptpstreptococcus and Prevotela spp. 68.48% consider plating onto agars as the main method for isolating and identifying microorganisms. The results are presented graphically and represent the percentage distribution of the answers. Conclusion: Students' knowledge of species characteristics of microorganisms in various nosological units associated with infected root canals should be increased.