Impact of COVID‐19 on advanced dental education: Perspectives of dental residents in Wuhan

Abstract

Purpose This study investigated the impact of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID‐19) from the perspectives of dental residents in Wuhan, the former COVID‐19 epicenter of China. Methods A survey form was sent to 424 residents in the School of Stomatology, Wuhan University (WHUSS) in September 2020. The form included 23 questions on demographics, study situation of residents during the COVID‐19 outbreak, effect of COVID‐19 on graduates, and status of residents who returned to clinic training. Results A total of 361 (85%) survey forms were collected. Over 70% of respondents felt anxious during Wuhan lockdown. Most respondents continued studying (94%) mainly through free online resources (79%). The majority reported improvement in didactic knowledge (80%), but the respondents’ perceptions of their clinical skills, especially those in Wuhan, did not change (41%) or worsened (40%) ( p < 0.05). Most graduates (88%) reported having found jobs or continued study. Among the 209 responders who returned to clinical training, 52% felt no concern about COVID‐19 infection, 89% thought they were equipped with adequate personal protective equipment (PPE), and 57% indicated that they received sufficient knowledge for preventing COVID‐19 in clinic. Most respondents agreed that the way to gain the knowledge for preventing COVID‐19 in clinic was training at dental school (93%). Conclusion Although online study has been appreciated by residents, concern about clinical skill learning in the COVID‐19 hardest‐hit area has arisen. Most graduates felt that the impact of COVID‐19 on their immediate postgraduation career was limited. Teaching about infection control in dental schools seemed effective to develop a positive attitude for residents after they returned to clinical training.

Educational concerns and awareness level among dental hygiene students during the COVID‐19 pandemic

“…Another study conducted by Zhao et al 17 (2021) reported that most dental graduates believed that the impact of COVID‐19 on their immediate postgraduation career was limited, which is in line with the findings of the present study. In addition, the infection control curriculum appeared effective to develop a positive attitude among dental providers 17 …”

“…In addition, 36.2% of the Italian students graded the effect of the pandemic on their profession after graduation as excessive or high, 41.8% as moderate, and 22% as little or none. Another study conducted by Zhao et al 17 (2021) reported that most dental graduates believed that the impact of COVID-19 on their immediate postgraduation career was limited, which is in line with the findings of the present study. In addition, the infection control curriculum appeared effective to develop a positive attitude among dental providers.…”

“…In addition, the infection control curriculum appeared effective to develop a positive attitude among dental providers. 17 …”

“…In addition, the infection control curriculum appeared effective to develop a positive attitude among dental providers. 17 The incubation period of COVID-19 ranges from 7 to 14 days, without manifesting any clinical symptoms. 18 The findings of our study showed that 34.5% of the students had the correct information regarding the name of SARS-CoV-2, and 83.4% were aware of the 7-14 days incubation period.…”

Dental Education With the COVID-19 Pandemic: Ghanaian Dental Students’ Experience

“…They also noted that learner motivation, time management along with the comfortableness with online technologies impact the success of the online learning experience. Zhao[ 19 ] reported that among dental residents pursuing advanced dental education in Wuhan, streaming integrity was restricted by the stability of the internal network. They also noted that, the concentration of residents may have been affected by the surrounding environment, and the emotional connection between residents and faculty could have been weakened compared with traditional teaching.…”