(PO-024) Impact of COVID-19 on Dental Students' Preparedness for General Dentistry

Author: Ellen Anderson, B.S. – Dental Student, University of Nebraska Medical Center College of Dentistry
Author: Yun Saksena, D.M.D. – Associate Dean for Education, Diversity, Equity and Inclusion, University of Nebraska Medical Center College of Dentistry
Author: Maricelle Abayon, D.M.D., M.S. – Assistant Director, General Practice Residency Program, University of Rochester Medical Center
Author: Joyce A. Barbour, D.D.S., M.B.A. – Asstistant Professor, Meharry Medical College School of Dentistry
Author: Susi Hamilton, M.Ed. – Director of Assessment & Compliance, Dental College of Georgia at Augusta University
Author: Eswar Kandaswamy, B.D.S. – Assistant Professor, Louisiana State University Health New Orleans School of Dentistry
Author: Neeraj Panchal, M.D., D.D.S., M.A. – Chief, Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, Penn Presbyterian Medical Center
Author: Rachel Rogers, B.A. – Ph.D. Student in Statistics, University of Nebraska - Lincoln
Author: Joseph Vitolo, D.M.D., M.S., Ph.D. – Associate Dean for Academic Affairs and Advanced Education, Dental College of Georgia at Augusta University
Submitter: Yun Saksena, D.M.D. – Associate Dean for Education, Diversity, Equity and Inclusion, University of Nebraska Medical Center College of

Objective: The purpose of this study was to determine if and how the COVID-19 pandemic affected dental students' preparedness for general dentistry (AEGD/GPR programs/private practice/rural settings/public health settings).

Methods: To investigate the effect of COVID-19 on students’ preparedness, we conducted an electronic survey directed at students from the graduating classes of 2021 and 2022. This project was granted IRB exemption status.

Results: A total of 37 students completed the survey. Descriptive statistics were used to analyze the results. For the students who applied to AEGD/GPR programs (minority of respondents) one third of the Class of 2022 and one half of the Class of 2021 said they would not have applied if COVID-19 did not occur. The majority of respondents indicated they would have applied to the same number of programs or fewer if COVID-19 hadn’t occurred. When asked about clinical requirements, 13 students indicated requirements decreased, while 18 students indicated requirements did not change. Regardless of race, a majority of students felt not at all confident or somewhat confident in their ability to practice general dentistry in private practice, rural, or public health settings. Students of color compared to whites felt that their dental school experience had not prepared them for AEGD/GPR programs.

Conclusion: The pandemic appeared to have a negative effect on the confidence of the class of 2021 and 2022 though, for most students surveyed, clinical requirements didn’t change. Students appeared to have less confidence in their ability to practice general dentistry in a private practice, rural, or public health settings. This survey highlights the negative effect of the COVID-19 pandemic amongst dental students' perception of their training, which has influenced students' decision in applying to AEGD/GPR programs or beginning practicing as a general dentist.