Changes in views on digital intraoral scanners among dental hygienists after training in digital impression taking

Backgrounds Despite the rapid development of digital dentistry, the use of digital intraoral scanners remains limited. The aim of this study was to evaluate the changes in views on intraoral scanners among dental hygienists after training. Methods Thirty-four dental hygienists with >3 years of clinical experience participated and were divided into 2 groups : iTero and Trios groups. Participants of each group practiced the usage of both intraoral scanners, for total 12 times over 4 sessions, Questionnaires were given to participants at two different times; prior to and after the completion of the training sessions. The parameters of questionnaires included on difficulty of use, patient discomfort, awareness, preference, and clinical usefulness of intraoral scanners and comparison of two types of scanners. Results Upon the completion of the training, both iTero and Trios groups gave positive feedback on anticipated accuracy, efficiency, and clinical usefulness. More participants of the iTero group responded that the level of difficulty of use and patient discomfort was greater than Trios. Both groups preferred Trios for its clinical usefulness. Conclusions The perceptions of dental hygienists on usage of intraoral scanner and digital impression improved positively with the training. The participants favored Trios over iTero in terms of difficulty of use , patient comfort, and clinical usefulness. This study showed that appropriate training could change the views on the efficiency of intraoral scanners positively among dental hygienists. Electronic supplementary material The online version of this article (doi:10.1186/s12903-015-0140-5) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.

1. The expected difficulty of digital impression taking as a clinician (1) Compared to impression taking using rubber, digital impression taking seems .
(2) Compared to impression taking using alginate, digital impression taking seems .
2. The expected inconvenience caused to patients during digital impression taking (1) Compared to impression taking using rubber, digital impression taking seems .
(2) Compared to impression taking using alginate, digital impression taking seems . (1) I think it is more reliable than impression taking using rubber.
(2) I think it is more reliable than impression taking using alginate.
(3) I think model management will get more convenient.
(4) I think it can save time in comparison with impression taking using rubber.
(5) I think it can save time in comparison with taking using alginate.
(6) I think the entire treatment process will become simpler.
(7) I think it will be useful for attracting the patient's attention.
(8) I think it can gain the patient's trust.
(9) I think it will be helpful for promoting the dental clinic.
(10) I think it can be learned and mastered in a short time.
(11) I think the degree of proficiency will affect accuracy. Please select the option that best describes your views about digital impression taking (select only one option "V")

PART II (After training)
Please select the option that best describes your views about digital impression taking (select only one option "V") 1. The difficulty of digital impression taking as a clinician (1) Compared to impression taking using rubber, digital impression taking was .
(2) Compared to impression taking using alginate, digital impression taking was .

The inconvenience caused to patients during digital impression taking
(1) Compared to impression taking using rubber, digital impression taking was .
(2) Compared to impression taking using alginate, digital impression taking was . (1) I think it is more reliable than impression taking using rubber.
(2) I think it is more reliable than impression taking using alginate.
(3) I think model management will get more convenient.
(4) I think it can save time in comparison with impression taking using rubber.
(5) I think it can save time in comparison with taking using alginate.
(6) I think the entire treatment process will become simpler.
(7) I think it will be useful for attracting the patient's attention.
(8) I think it can gain the patient's trust.
(9) I think it will be helpful for promoting the dental clinic.
(10) I think it can be learned and mastered in a short time.
(11) I think the degree of proficiency will affect accuracy. 4. I think that if I take a digital impression, I will get ahead of another colleague who does not use it.
5. I think taking an impression using a digital scanner is generally useful in the clinical environment.
6. Overall, I prefer taking impressions using a digital scanner in the clinical environment. Please select the option that best describes your views about digital impression taking (select only one option "V")

PART III (After training)
Please select the option that best describes your preferences regarding digital impression taking (select only one option "V")