title: Should removal of lower third molars be included in the pre-graduate curriculum for dental students? An evaluation of post-operative complications after student operations.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To evaluate guidelines for selection of lower third molars (M3) to be removed by dental students (DS) and to compare M3 surgery performed by oral surgeons (OS) and DSs with regard to operation time and post-operative complications.
  
  
  METHODS
  Three hundred and thirteen patients with 313 lower M3 were assigned to be operated by either a DS or an OS, depending on the estimated difficulty of the surgery. During the post-operative week patients recorded pain (VAS) and other complications. Complications were also recorded objectively 1 week post-operatively.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Operations performed by DSs lasted longer than operations performed by OSs (P < 0.001). There was no difference in immediate post-operative pain intensity between the two groups. There were no differences in patients' perception of bleeding, trismus, bad taste, use of analgesics, absence from work/school and seeking professional help between the two groups. Dry socket occurred more frequently though in patients in the DS group (P = 0.008). There was no difference in the frequency of objectively assessed swelling, paraesthesia or infection.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  When appropriately selected, patients operated by DSs did not perceive more immediate post-operative pain or complications than patients operated by OSs. However, dry socket and the risk of severe pain caused by this condition occurred more frequently in patients operated by DSs. The criteria used for selection of operations for DSs seem acceptable.
authors.affiliation: Department of Oral Radiology, School of Dentistry, Aarhus University, Denmark. jennifer.heather.christensen@odontologi.au.dk
authors.forename: Jennifer
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Christensen
authors.forename: Louise Hauge
authors.initials: LH
authors.lastname: Matzen
authors.forename: Ann
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Wenzel
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D016009:Chi-Square Distribution; D002983:Clinical Competence; D003479:Curriculum; D004368:Dry Socket / Q000209:etiology; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D016015:Logistic Models; D008297:Male; D008334:Mandible; D008875:Middle Aged; D008964:Molar, Third / Q000601:surgery*; D010149:Postoperative Pain / Q000209:etiology; D017410:Practice Guidelines as Topic; D013335:Students, Dental; D013515:Surgery, Oral / Q000193:education*; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D013997:Time Factors; D014081:Tooth Extraction / Q000009:adverse effects*; D014095:Tooth, Impacted / Q000601:surgery; D055815:Young Adult