Diseño y validación del instrumento sobre la utilización de prótesis totales digitales en Odontólogos del Ecuador.

Abstract

Introduction: The incorporation of CAD/CAM systems, intraoral scanners, and 3D printing has transformed the fabrication of complete dentures, promoting standardized, reproducible, and potentially more efficient workflows. However, their professional adoption remains limited by costs, the need for training, and the availability of specialized equipment. Objective: To design and validate an instrument to assess the use of digital complete dentures among dentists in Ecuador. Methodology: A quantitative, non-experimental, methodological, and instrumental study was conducted. A questionnaire in Spanish was developed, and its content was evaluated by three specialists in Oral Rehabilitation. Subsequently, a pilot test was conducted with 30 dentists selected through non-probability convenience sampling. Internal consistency was determined using Cronbach’s alpha coefficient. Results: The specialists provided favorable ratings for all criteria, with no recommendations for the elimination or modification of questions. The combined analysis of the 12 items yielded a Cronbach’s alpha of 0.871. By dimension, the coefficients were 0.855 for knowledge, 0.946 for frequency of use, and 0.810 for perception, demonstrating adequate internal consistency. Item-total correlations were favorable, and item deletion did not improve reliability; therefore, all evaluated items were retained. Conclusions: The questionnaire includes relevant items for assessing the use of digital complete dentures and demonstrated satisfactory preliminary content validity and internal consistency. Its application in a larger sample will allow its psychometric properties to be confirmed among dentists from different regions of the country.