ORIGINAL RESEARCH Undergraduate dentistry students’ perception of difficulties regarding endodontic treatment Lorrane G. Tavares,DDS 1 ; Stella M. F. Lima,DDS, MS 1,2 ; Miriane G. Lima,DDS 1 ; Marcos P. Arruda,DDS, MS, PhD 1 ; Thiago C. Menegazzi,DDS 1,2 ; and Taia M. B. Rezende,DDS, MS, PhD 1,2,3,4 1 Curso de Odontologia, Universidade Cat olica de Bras  ılia, Taguatinga, Brazil 2 Centro de An alises Prote^ omicas e Bioqu  ımicas, Programa de P os-graduac ¸ ~ ao em Ci^ encias Gen^ omicas e Biotecnologia, Universidade Cat olica de Bras  ılia, Bras  ılia, Brazil 3 Programa de P os-Graduac ¸ ~ ao em Educac ¸ ~ ao, Universidade Cat olica de Brası´lia, Bras  ılia, Brazil 4 Programa de P os-Graduac ¸ ~ ao em Ci^ encias da Sa ude, Universidade de Bras  ılia, Bras  ılia, Brazil Keywords dental education, dental students, endodontics. Correspondence Taia M. B. Rezende, P os-graduacço em Ci^ encias Gen^ omicas e Biotecnologia, Universidade Cat olica de Bras  ılia, SGAN 916N – Av. W5 – Campus II – Modulo C, room C-221, Zip code: 70.790-160, Bras  ılia, DF, Brazil. Email: taiambr@gmail.com doi: 10.1111/aej.12290 (Accepted for publication 26 May 2018.) Abstract The present study aimed to identify students’ perceptions of endodontic treat- ment at a Brazilian university through a survey, which analysed student pro- files and their difficulties in 2016. One hundred and two students who had experienced endodontic, laboratory or clinical procedures answered a survey based on their experiences, regarding their perceptions, experience and self- confidence levels. Results demonstrated that there was no significant difficulty among students regarding anaesthesia, rubber dam use, chamber access, work- ing length determination, instrumentation, root filling and temporary restora- tion procedures during endodontic treatment. However, problems were observed regarding radiographic examination (mainly in separating root canals) and the choice of intracanal medication. The present study also raised a question regarding dental education: how can endodontic education be improved by addressing students’ perceived difficulties? Evaluating the major student difficulties during root canal therapy can help the improvement of teaching strategies during preclinical and clinical teaching. Introduction The perspectives of dental undergraduates about their edu- cational experiences is an important aspect in the develop- ment of teaching methodologies (1,2). A number of factors, such as clinical experience, teacher/student/patient relationships, clinical application of theory, extracurricular activities, self-confidence and student dedication can signif- icantly influence learning and practice (2,3). Dentistry pro- grams aim to educate dental professionals based on knowledge and training. Students enrolled in Endodontics must be able to work at all levels of health care, based on technical and scientific knowledge. Among other things, the undergraduate Endodontic discipline aims to develop tactile enhancement and improve knowledge in external and internal dental anat- omy in all phases involving endodontic treatment and diagnosis. Due to the anatomical complexity of root canals, many students, during their training, report not feeling sufficiently prepared to perform some treatments, for example molar endodontic treatment (3). This fact combined with the personal responsibility related to the patients’ health is considered a significant challenge, although it can also be a stimulus for self-improvement (4). The present study aimed to identify students’ percep- tions of the difficulties of endodontic treatment at a Brazilian university using a survey to analyse student profiles and difficulties and to have a discourse about possible solutions. Materials and methods The present study was submitted and approved by the Brazilian Ethics and Research Committee (registration # 47675115.9.0000.0029) and all participants signed a con- sent form. One hundred and two undergraduate dental students enrolled in Endodontics at the College of Den- tistry at Universidade Cat olica de Bras  ılia were included © 2018 Australian Society of Endodontology Inc 1 Aust Endod J 2018