COVID-19 and Dental and Dental Hygiene Students’ Career Plans

Abstract

Objective: The aims of this study were to investigate whether dental and dental hygiene students’ career plans postgraduation were affected by the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic and to examine wellness and readiness for clinical practice among students who reported a change in career plans. Methods: An anonymous online REDCap survey was developed and emailed to 436 dental and dental hygiene students at a US dental school. The survey consisted of 81 questions that covered demographics, career plans postgraduation, and readiness and wellness measures. An open-ended question assessing how students’ career plans have changed during the pandemic was also included. Results: A total of 252 students completed the survey, of whom 11.5% reported that their plans for future dental practice have changed since the COVID-19 outbreak. Students who reported a change to their career plans had significantly higher mean perceived stress (20.1 vs. 16.3; P = 0.003) and anxiety (9.2 vs. 6.2; P = 0.004) scores and lower mean resilience (18.9 vs. 20.9; P = 0.01) scores than those who reported no change to their career plans. Concerns were raised regarding the limited employment opportunities, long-term stability of the dental profession, and the interruptions to clinical education and licensure examinations consequent to the pandemic. Conclusions: A comprehensive effort inclusive of adeptly designed clinical and curriculum experiences paired with wellness interventions and support tailored to students is needed. These measures need to support trainees across varying years in training and resilience levels to be effective for dental and dental hygiene students as they approach their future career intentions in the dental profession. Additional longitudinal research is needed to assess if change in career intentions during the COVID-19 pandemic corresponds with actual change postpandemic and affects the dental profession. Knowledge Transfer Statement: This study explores the potential short-term change in career intentions of dental hygiene and dental students during the COVID-19 pandemic. Findings can inform workforce planning as well as interventions developed and implemented by academic dental institutions to support student wellness during unexpected and prolonged emergency situations.

Impact of COVID-19 on dental education- a scoping review

“…Students who believed that their future work schedule would change after the COVID-19 pandemic, were even more stressed [ 128 ]. These concerns were due to the possibility of limited employment [ 37 , 128 ]. On the other hand, COVID-19 provides a good opportunity for students to become more familiar with the concept of pandemics and the importance of global health efforts during the COVID-19 pandemic [ 50 ], and to pay more attention to the importance of primary health care workforce role in keeping society healthy [ 67 ].…”

“…Among the challenges that will exist in the field of students’ academic and professional future were the followings: impacts on the future of dental practice [ 35 , 36 ], concerns and uncertainty about employment and stability of the dental profession in the future [ 37 ], and concerns due to professional responsibility and impact on clinical performance [ 23 , 38 ].…”

Meta-Analysis of Prevalence of Depression in Dental Students during COVID-19 Pandemic

“…This proximity may put them at a higher risk of viral exposure and being infected with COVID-19 [27]. In fact, droplets and aerosols produced during most dental procedures are potential methods for COVID-19 transmission [28].…”

Covid-19 Pandemi̇si̇ni̇n Di̇ş Heki̇mli̇ği̇ Öğrenci̇leri̇ni̇n Di̇ş Heki̇mli̇ği̇nde Uzmanlik Eği̇ti̇mi̇ne Bakişlarina Olan Etki̇si̇

“…8 Türkiye'de diş hekimliğinde 2018 yılında Oral Patoloji dalı, bir ana dal olarak diş hekimliğinde uzmanlık dalları arasına eklenmiş ve eğitim süresi 4 yıl olarak belirlenmiştir. 9 10 Bu çalışmada öğrencilerin büyük kısmında bulaşıcı hastalık kapma korkusu gelişmesine karşın uzmanlık eğitimi almayı hedefleyen öğrencilerin oranlarında bir farklılık bulunmaması, Garcia ve ark 10 tarafından yapılan çalışmanın sonuçlarıyla örtüşmektedir. Bu çalışmaya dahil olan öğrencilerde bulaşıcı hastalık kapma korkusunun kadınlarda erkeklere göre daha fazla olduğunu bulunmuştur.…”

“…Literatürde, diş hekimliği öğrencilerinin kariyer planları üzerine COVID-19 pandemisinin etkilerini değerlendiren çok az araştırmaya rastlanmaktadır. 8,10,[16][17][18] Garcia ve ark. 10 COVID-19 pandemisi nedeniyle kariyer planı değişen ve değişmeyen öğrencilerin cinsiyete göre dağılımlarını kıyasladıklarında kadınlar ve erkekler arasında anlamlı bir farklılık olmadığını bildirmişlerdir.…”