Evaluation of clinicians’ use of fast-curing and budget light-curing units in Saudi Arabia

Light-curing units (LCUs) are essential for polymerizing resin-based composites, and a lack of understanding will likely compromise the quality of the final restoration. The understanding and clinical application of LCU features—including the use of fast-curing modes and budget LCUs—require investigation. This study assesses the knowledge and practice patterns regarding LCU features among dental professionals. A self-administered questionnaire was distributed among specialized dentists in restorative dentistry, other dental specialists, general practitioners, and students/interns. The survey assessed participants’ knowledge and practices regarding LCU ergonomics, curing modes, use of budget LCUs, and their potential impact on restoration outcomes. It consisted of 23 main questions, in addition to 7 demographic and 4 eligibility questions. Data were analyzed using one-way ANOVA with post-hoc Scheffé tests to compare knowledge and practice scores across groups (α = 0.05). A total of 338 questionnaires were completed (80.5% response rate). Specialized restorative dentists had significantly higher LCU knowledge scores (mean=64.31) compared to other specialists (48.84) and students/interns (53.27) (p<0.001). Clinical practice scores followed a similar trend (p=0.007). Notably, 33.4% of respondents were unsure if they were using a budget LCU, and 59.6% did not check the LCU irradiance of the lights used in their clinic. Only 4.2% measured the irradiance from the LCU daily. Significant gaps exist in the knowledge and practice about LCUs, particularly among non-restorative specialists and students. The widespread lack of awareness regarding budget LCUs and irradiance verification highlights a need for standardized education on LCU selection, curing modes, and routine output testing in clinical settings.