Self‐reported dental student stressors and experiences during the COVID‐19 pandemic

Abstract

Objective To compare the influence of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID‐19) pandemic on the student reported outcomes among dental students reading/studying different courses offered in the only dental school in Malta. Materials and methods An anonymous questionnaire consisting of 13 closed‐ended and open‐ended questions was sent to all students (n = 97) at the Faculty of Dental Surgery at the University of Malta. Emergent themes from open‐ended questions were identified and tallied. Since data were classified as categorical ranks, nonparametric tests were used to compare variables among the different courses, years of study, preclinical/clinical students, and gender categories. Results Dental technology students were significantly less stressed about contracting COVID‐19 (P = 0.005) and regarding lack of preparation due to inability to physically go to the library (P = 0.019). Female students reported significantly more anxiety for the following factors: “feeling anxious all the time” (P = 0.033), “worried about contracting COVID‐19′” (P = 0.012), “worried that a family member may contract COVID‐19′” (P = 0.048), “more anxious about exams this year because of the challenges we are facing” (P = 0.029), and “concern about losing manual dexterity skills” (P = 0.038). Qualitative data gathered show considerable stress reported by students regarding changes in examination processes and formats and lack of timely communication. Conclusion Students were greatly affected by the COVID‐19 pandemic and this caused fear of losing their manual dexterity skills, anxiety related to its consequences on their long‐term plans, and anxiety related to the examinations. Dental schools in turn should adapt rapidly and customize changes that are specific to the individual student cohort and their stage of training.

Self-Perceived Impact of COVID-19 Pandemic by Dental Students in Bucharest

“…Thus, up until now several reports were made on the impact of the pandemic on students’ emotional health looking at anxiety disorders, resentments, depression, anger, mental fatigue [ 14 , 20 , 31 , 32 ], etc., among them. All of these add to the competitiveness, rigor and increased demands and to the early responsibility when treating patients [ 41 ], which characterize dental medicine education in general, and which place it in one of the most stressful academic environments [ 42 , 43 ], while also being one of the most emotionally and psychologically demanding professions. Our study highlights the significant psychological impact on students, as both stress and anxiety levels are directly correlated and, therefore, perceived by the majority of them as being elevated, due to the supplementary psychological stress triggered by the pandemic.…”

“…To the best of our knowledge, till present there are limited studies with a similar assessment. One of these studies, conducted in the only dental school in Malta, suggests that the majority of students were severely impacted by not being able to practice their laboratory or clinical skills for a long period, their manual dexterity skills being, therefore, greatly affected [ 41 ].…”

Stress, Coping, and Resilience Before and After COVID-19: A Predictive Model Based on Artificial Intelligence in the University Environment

“…In fact, stress was found to be one of the main variables in studies regarding the psychological effects of confinement ( Brooks et al, 2020 ). The stressors associated with COVID-19 were diverse and included frustration, inadequate information, fear of contagion, and the length of quarantine ( Agius et al, 2020 ; Brooks et al, 2020 ; Khan et al, 2020 ).…”

Medo e ansiedade de estudantes de Odontologia diante da pandemia do novo coronavírus: um estudo transversal

“…Esse maior desconforto dos alunos, em anos mais avançados, pode ser justificado pela maior carga horária de aulas práticas, responsabilidade com os pacientes, negligência com a vida pessoal, preocupações com o mercado de trabalho, medo de reprovação e preocupação com a saúde 25 . O aprendizado somente em laboratório dos semestres iniciais pode justificar a menor preocupação com o manejo dos pacientes por parte destes, o que também foi encontrado no estudo de Agius et al 26 , que revelou que os alunos sem contato direto com pacientes possuíam menor medo da contaminação pelo vírus da COVID-19.…”