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ABSTRACT
Background: The knowledge of modern diagnostic techniques is a prerequisite for proper diagnosis and treatment of common dental conditions and the undergraduate dental education serves as an inevitable background for building such knowledge. Aim: This study seeks to show the wide variety of modern diagnostic techniques available for the diagnosis of common dental conditions as well as assess the level of knowledge of undergraduate dental students of these techniques and their application. Methods: This study was carried out among 60 undergraduate clinical students from the school of Dentistry, University of Benin, Benin City, Nigeria. Data was collected through self-reported questionnaires and data was analyzed using statistical package fir the social sciences (SPSS) version 27. Results: Of the 60 respondents who partook in the study, about 76.7% had used one form of diagnostic technique or the other in the form of imaging. The most common reason given by the respondents for using digital imaging technique was that it took a shorter time to perform(30.4%). Other reasons given were; that no development was required (17.4%), adjustment and measurement can be done on the images (13.0%), there is no wastage in developing process and it doesn’t cause pollution (13.0%). Among those who had not used any form of digital imaging technique, the most common reason given for this was lack of availability of equipment which is about 42.9%. About 52% had heard about CBCT being used in dental practice out of which 35% got their information about CBCT from the internet and 54.8% from faculty lessons. 73.3% were willing to obtain updated information regarding diagnostic techniques. Conclusion: With the increasing demand for more advanced methods for making diagnosis in dental practice, there is a need to educate dental students on evolving trends in diagnosis and give them practical training in some of these diagnostic techniques, especially CBCT. Keywords: Diagnosis, modern, imaging, techniques, radiography, dental practice.
