Undergraduate Endodontic Teaching in Dental Schools Around the World: A Narrative Review

Abstract

This narrative review aims to analyze the published data regarding undergraduate teaching of Endodontics throughout the world. A literature survey was conducted to identify articles about undergraduate endodontic teaching, using the following combinations of keywords: (endodontic OR endodontics OR endodontology) AND (teaching OR training OR education OR curriculum) AND (undergraduate OR pre-graduate) AND (evaluation OR assessment) AND (dental schools OR dental faculty). The inclusion criteria established were studies published in the last 10 years, in which those responsible for teaching endodontics reported some data about the undergraduate training of endodontics in dental schools around the world. The data provided by the included studies were extracted and organized into five sections: 1) General characteristics of teaching endodontics in the dental curriculum, 2) Teaching methodology in endodontic training, 3) Root canal treatment protocol used in undergraduate endodontic teaching, 4) Use of contemporary materials and technologies in endodontic training, and 5) Assessment methodology in endodontic training. The data found in the published studies show great consistency and, compared with the data found in studies carried out decades ago, allow us to conclude that the quality of endodontic teaching in dental schools around the world has increased substantially. However, there is stillroom for improvement in some aspects, especially the incorporation of new technologies and materials into the teaching of endodontics at the undergraduate level. This is the case of magnification, ultrasound and cone beam computed tomography (CBCT). (EEJ-2025-03-030).