Abstract：
Evidence on periodontal education areas in which students have difficulties and their factors are limited. In this study, third- and fourth-year dental students\' knowledge was assessed as well as their confidence and ability in five periodontal educational areas using a mixed-method approach. A survey was used to collect data related to history-taking, medical examination, diagnosis, treatment planning, and follow-up. Student answers were compared to the consensual answers of an expert panel using the cosine-similarity index (CSI). Descriptive statistics assessed confidence and ability for diagnosis. Semi-structured individual interviews were used to collect data on reported reasons for difficulties in periodontal education. A content analysis was employed to analyze the interview data. Eighteen third- and fourth-year dental students completed the survey and eleven were interviewed. Students\' knowledge was adequate regarding diagnosis and treatment planning. Third-year students\' median CSI were 0.93 and 0.89, respectively. Fourth-year students\' median CSI were 0.9 and 0.93, respectively. Students felt confident in history-taking and examination but lacked confidence and ability in diagnosis and treatment planning. Reported reasons for difficulties in periodontal education were linked to both preclinical and clinical pedagogical issues. Further improvements in preclinical and clinical periodontal education are needed to address students\' lack of knowledge, confidence, and skills in key periodontal areas.
摘要：
牙周教育领域学生有困难且因素有限的证据。在这项研究中,使用混合方法评估了3年级和4年级牙科学生的知识以及他们在五个牙周教育领域的信心和能力。一项调查被用来收集与历史记录相关的数据，体检,诊断,治疗计划,和后续行动。使用余弦相似性指数（CSI）将学生的答案与专家小组的共识答案进行比较。描述性统计评估了诊断的信心和能力。半结构化的个人访谈用于收集有关牙周教育困难的报告原因的数据。采用内容分析对访谈数据进行分析。18名三，四年级牙科学生完成了调查，并采访了11名学生。学生对诊断和治疗计划的了解是足够的。三年级学生的平均CSI分别为0.93和0.89。四年级学生的平均CSI分别为0.9和0.93。学生对历史记录和检查充满信心，但对诊断和治疗计划缺乏信心和能力。报告的牙周教育困难的原因与临床前和临床教学问题有关。需要进一步改善临床前和临床牙周教育，以解决学生缺乏知识的问题，信心,和关键牙周区域的技能。
