Dental Students’ Emotions, Knowledge, Awareness And Learning Intention On The Applications of Nanotechnology In Dentistry

Background: Dentistry includes vast applications of nanotechnology from preventive dentistry to diagnostics. However, we have limited knowledge about dentistry students’ perceptions of the emerging applications of nanotechnology in dentistry. This study aims to reveal a group of dental students’ knowledge, emotions, awareness and learning intentions on the emerging applications of nanotechnology in dentistry. Methods: : This study was carried out through a quantitative research design. A questionnaire including four parts was administered to a total of 269 dental students from different grade levels. Data were summarized using descriptive statistics and the chi-square test. All statistical analysis were done by using the SPSS Version 22. Results: : Findings of the dataset indicated that most of the participants had heard some or a lot about nanotechnology. Also, they displayed positive emotions toward nanotechnology. Almost 60% of participants stated that they know what nanotechnology means, whereas more than 70% of them reported that they don’t know how nanotechnology works. Findings also showed that as the grade level increased, more students became aware of the applications of nanotechnology. In addition, the participants thought that they needed to get more information about the applications of nanotechnology in dentistry education and in future dental practices. Conclusion: The results of the study revealed that dental students were familiar with nanotechnology and displayed positive emotions towards nanotechnology. Also they desired to learn more information about the applications of nanotechnology. In addition, findings showed that as the grade level increased, more students became aware of the applications of nanotechnology.