Knowledge and Confidence Regarding Dental Impression Materials and Techniques Among Iraqi Undergraduate Dental Students: A Cross-Sectional Study

Abstract

Objective: This study aimed to assess the knowledge and practical confidence of Iraqi undergraduate dental students regarding dental impression materials and techniques and to identify educational factors associated with confidence levels. Methods: The study was a cross sectional analytical study performed during the period from February to April 2025 among fourth- and fifth-year dental students from four public and private dental colleges in Iraq. Structured questionnaires were used to collect the data. Results: A total of 332 students participated, yielding a response rate of 53.5%. Over half of the participants (56.6%) indicated that they lacked training in impression techniques and only 22.9% had experience with digital impressions. Participation in the workshop was independently related to higher knowledge confidence (B = 0.226, p = 0.022), while perceived curriculum adequacy was the only factor independently related to higher practical confidence (B = 0.267, p = 0.013). No significant association with confidence remained after adjustment for potential confounders; this included institution type, academic year, gender, and digital impression experience. Conclusions: Educational experiences, particularly workshop participation and students’ perceptions of curriculum adequacy, were associated with greater confidence in dental impression procedures. However, it seems that other parameters, in addition to formal training, affect confidence, and therefore, further efforts in clinical exposure and the use of modern impression techniques in undergraduate training is needed.