VARIATIONS IN SELF-CONFIDENCE LEVELS AMONG UNDERGRADUATE DENTAL STUDENTS AND INTERNS AT QASSIM UNIVERSITY IN REMOVABLE PROSTHODONTIC TREATMENT : A CROSS-SECTIONAL STUDY

Background: To assess the self-confidence of 4th and 5th year undergraduate dental students and interns at Qassim
University when performing removable prosthodontic procedures, as well as their perceptions of the quality of
prosthodontic education.
Materials and Methods: A Cross-Sectional Study. An electronic questionnaireconducted among the
participants.Participants completed a questionnaire regarding theirselfconfidence preforming removable prosthodontic procedures independently and the quality of prosthodontic education.
Results:A total of 70 students participated. Most students reported high confidence in performing basic removable
prosthodontic procedures. However, confidence declined for more complex tasks, such as achieving accurate jaw
relation records without supervision. Interns showed significantly higher confidence levels than 4th- and 5th-year
students (p < 0.05). Additionally, students who rated the quality of their prosthodontic education as high were
significantly more likely to report higher confidence levels in clinical performance (p < 0.001).
Conclusion: Undergraduate dental students and interns at Qassim University showed high selfconfidence in basic
removable prosthodontic procedures, but less confidence in complex tasks like recording jaw relations. Confidence
increased with academic level and was strongly linked to students’ perception of education quality. Enhancing clinical
training and focusing on advanced skills early can help build stronger clinical confidence in future practitioners.