Man Hung1,2,3,4, Frank W Licari1, Eric S Hon5, Evelyn Lauren6, Sharon Su1, Wendy C Birmingham7, Lori L Wadsworth8, Jane H Lassetter9, Tyler C Graff7, William Harman1, William B Carroll1, Martin S Lipsky1. 1. College of Dental Medicine, Roseman University of Health Sciences, South Jordan, Utah, USA. 2. School of Medicine, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, Utah, USA. 3. School of Business, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, Utah, USA. 4. College of Education, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, Utah, USA. 5. Department of Economics, University of Chicago, Chicago, Illinois, USA. 6. Department of Biostatistics, Boston University, Boston, Massachusetts, USA. 7. Department of Psychology, Brigham Young University, Provo, Utah, USA. 8. George W. Romney Institute of Public Service and Ethics, Brigham Young University, Provo, Utah, USA. 9. College of Nursing, Brigham Young University, Provo, Utah, USA.
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.
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.
Authors: Laura Iosif; Ana Maria Cristina Ţâncu; Andreea Cristiana Didilescu; Marina Imre; Bogdan Mihai Gălbinașu; Radu Ilinca Journal: Int J Environ Res Public Health Date: 2021-05-14 Impact factor: 3.390