In an era of uncertainty: Impact of COVID‐19 on dental education

Abstract

Purpose/Objectives The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID‐19) pandemic arguably represents the worst public health crisis of the 21st century. However, no empirical study currently exists in the literature that examines the impact of the COVID‐19 pandemic on dental education. This study evaluated the impact of COVID‐19 on dental education and dental students’ experience. Methods An anonymous online survey was administrated to professional dental students that focused on their experiences related to COVID‐19. The survey included questions about student demographics, protocols for school reopening and student perceptions of institutional responses, student concerns, and psychological impacts. Results Among the 145 respondents, 92.4% were pre‐doctoral dental students and 7.6% were orthodontic residents; 48.2% were female and 12.6% students lived alone during the school closure due to the pandemic. Students’ age ranged from 23 to 39 years. Younger students expressed more concerns about their emotional health (P = 0.01). In terms of the school's overall response to COVID‐19, 73.1% students thought it was effective. The majority (83%) of students believed that social distancing in school can minimize the development of COVID‐19. In general, students felt that clinical education suffered after transitioning to online but responded more positively about adjustments to other online curricular components. Conclusions The COVID‐19 pandemic significantly impacted dental education. Our findings indicate that students are experiencing increased levels of stress and feel their clinical education has suffered. Most students appear comfortable with technology adaptations for didactic curriculum and favor masks, social distancing, and liberal use of sanitizers.

Dental Education Challenges during the COVID-19 Pandemic Period in Italy: Undergraduate Student Feedback, Future Perspectives, and the Needs of Teaching Strategies for Professional Development

“…The other aspects that the students appreciated were the possibility to follow the lectures again (to better understand the concepts), the flexibility of their schedule (to manage their logistics) and the lack of associated problems (such as lack of light in the room, projector problems). A recent survey by Hung et al (2020) also showed how dental students share concerns about their clinical education and their future, in terms of employment and recompense, which can add more stress to an already high-pressure profession [ 23 ].…”

Uncertainties around COVID-19 from the perspectives of oral health care workers during the first wave of SARS-CoV-2 infections in British Columbia, Canada

“…Uncertainties, like those reflected in the participants' responses, are not entirely surprising given that they "permeate every aspect of clinical practice-from diagnosing and managing dental caries to predicting success for [a treatment]" [10] and occur as early as during undergraduate dental education [27,28]. The COVID-19 pandemic has produced other uncertainties, considering information has changed almost daily due to the rapid rate knowledge is obtained about this novel coronavirus.…”

Participation in an existing massive open online course in dentistry during the COVID‐19 pandemic

“…4 While students in dental settings have expressed concern about the quality of online instruction, years of reviews suggest that quality expectations will be met by participating in IDM. 5 The course also provided availability of subject experts and engagement with these experts as well as peer learners, meeting Reddy's suggestions for visibility and ventilation of educational materials and concepts as ways to maintain resilience during this time. 10…”

“…4 Although virtual learning presented significant challenges to all educators, the abrupt shift to this modality also posed opportunities, including the development and dissemination of online materials relating to dental education and the chance for faculty to obtain additional experience and knowledge of these previously unconventional methods. 5 Self-directed educational offerings moderated by experienced faculty, as often exist in massive open online courses (MOOCs), were found to be particularly useful methods of conveying content while allowing for student self-assessment. 2 In addition, the disruption to on-site education allowed dentistry to consider better preparation for future interruptions to education.…”

“…Many younger students possess both comfort and experience with online learning environments and may suffer particular concerns about the impact of the pandemic on their current and future educational endeavors. 5 Some younger students may not succeed in online-only formats, however, and will gain more benefit from blended offerings that allow additional direct feedback. 11 Additionally, non-traditional students considering careers in dentistry and allied professions may also benefit from the accessibility of freely available online materials.…”