ABSTRACT \nPurpose: The aim of this questionnaire survey was to investigate the adoption of nickel-titanium endodontic techniques by Bulgarian dental practitioners and to further evaluate the role of the university programs and the reasons for restricting the use of rotary instruments. Methods: The sample consisted of 600 dental practitioners chosen on a random basis from all administrative districts in Bulgaria. The data in the study was collected on the basis of a specially designed online questionnaire comprising 15 closed-format questions divided in two separate parts. Only dentists practicing endodontics filled in the second part. Results: Two hundred and six (34.33%) dentists responded and filled in the questionnaire. Endodontic treatment was performed by 98.5% of participants and 84.2% of them used NiTi rotary systems. Non-university lectures (62.9%) and training courses (71.8%) were the basic source for theoretical knowledge and practical experience. Low importance of university programs was registered - 8.4% (lectures), 8.3% (practical exercises). Conclusions: Endodontic treatment is performed by majority of Bulgarian dentists. Metropolitan younger dentists proved themselves more confident in application of the contemporary endodontic shaping systems. Further improvement of undergraduate and postgraduate curriculum is necessary to provide sufficient knowledge and practical skills on usage of rotary NiTi systems.\n \n Key words: dental practitioners, questionnaire, nickel-titanium rotary files, rotary endodontic techniques

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