Department of Clinical Dentistry, Faculty of Medicine, University of Bergen, Bergen, Norway.
Centre for International Health, Faculty of Medicine, University of Bergen, Bergen, Norway.
Eur J Dent Educ. 2020 Feb;24(1):79-87. doi: 10.1111/eje.12470. Epub 2019 Oct 16.
The introduction of innovative nanotechnologies in medicine and dentistry may initiate a need for curriculum revision at the universities. The aim of this study was to assess dental students' knowledge and attitudes related to nanotechnology. Covariates of students' intention to use nanomaterials in their future dental practice were evaluated using the theory of planned behaviour (TPB).
Dental students at Norwegian and Romanian Universities were invited to participate. A self-administered structured questionnaire including socio-demographics and Ajzen's TPB components was used.
A total of 212 out of 732 dental students participated in the survey: 52 Norwegian and 160 Romanian. Most students reported to have little knowledge about nanotechnology (Norwegians = 44.2% vs Romanians = 46.9%, P < .05). More than 90% of the students in both countries reported that they wanted to get more information about nanotechnology. Mean knowledge score was similar for Norwegian and Romanian students (4.4 ± 1.7 vs 4.2 ± 1.4, P > .05). Romanian students had more positive attitude, stronger subjective norms and stronger perceived behavioural control towards nanotechnology compared to their Norwegian counterparts. Intention to use nanomaterials in the total sample was most strongly influenced by attitude towards the use of dental nanomaterials (beta = 0.42, P < .001).
Dental students in Norway and Romania demonstrated limited knowledge about nanotechnology. Intention to use nanomaterials was primarily influenced by attitudes. A clear desire for more information about the application of nanotechnology in dentistry was expressed by the respondents indicating a need for curriculum modification.
创新性纳米技术在医学和牙科领域的引入可能需要大学修改课程。本研究旨在评估牙科学生对纳米技术相关知识和态度。使用计划行为理论（TPB）评估学生未来在牙科实践中使用纳米材料的意图的协变量。
邀请挪威和罗马尼亚大学的牙科学生参加。使用自我管理的结构化问卷，包括社会人口统计学和 Ajzen 的 TPB 成分。
共有 732 名牙科学生中的 212 名参与了调查：52 名挪威人和 160 名罗马尼亚人。大多数学生报告说对纳米技术了解甚少（挪威人 = 44.2%对罗马尼亚人 = 46.9%，P <.05）。两国的学生都表示希望获得更多关于纳米技术的信息。挪威和罗马尼亚学生的平均知识得分相似（4.4 ± 1.7 对 4.2 ± 1.4，P >.05）。与挪威学生相比，罗马尼亚学生对纳米技术的态度、主观规范和感知行为控制更积极。在总样本中，使用纳米材料的意图主要受对使用牙科纳米材料的态度的影响（β=0.42，P <.001）。
挪威和罗马尼亚的牙科学生对纳米技术的了解有限。使用纳米材料的意图主要受态度影响。受访者明确表示希望获得更多关于纳米技术在牙科中应用的信息，这表明需要修改课程。
