(PO-091) Dental Education: Perceptions of Faculty and Students Due to COVID-19

Author: Humzah Mahmood, Mahmood
Author: Afsheen Lakhani, D.M.D. – Boston University Henry M. Goldman School of Dental Medicine
Author: Alexander A. Bendayan, D.M.D. – Assistant Dean for Digital Dentistry Development and Clinical Training, Boston University Henry M. Goldman School of Dental Medicine
Submitter: Humzah Mahmood, Mahmood

Purpose/Objectives

The severity of the COVID-19 pandemic has presented various challenges to dental education institutions nationwide. Currently, no study exists in the literature that examines and compares the perceptions of dental school faculty and students on the impact of COVID-19 on dental school education. This study investigated the direct impact the COVID-19 pandemic had on faculty and student populations.

Methods

An anonymous identical survey consisting of 10 of closed-ended and open-ended questions was sent to all pre-doctoral students and pre-doctoral faculty at Boston University Henry M. Goldman School of Dental Medicine. Questions focused on students and faculty perceived impact of COVID-19 on dental education, preferred learning mediums, and professional development.

Results

Among the 216 respondents, 72.7% were pre-doctoral students and 27.3% were pre-doctoral faculty. Majority of faculty and students perceived a significant decrease in mental health among students due to the pandemic and shift to remote learning. Significant differences were observed between self-reported parameters, such as professional development, clinical experience, time management, and communication with faculty (P = .005). As we return to in-person activities, 45% of faculty preferred to have mostly in-person lectures, while only 16% of students preferred to have mostly in-person lectures. Both faculty and students strongly believed that small group discussion seminars would greatly improve student learning experiences post-COVID.



Conclusion(s)

Overall, both students and faculty observed a significant decrease in student learning, pre-clinical, and clinical skills due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Students greatly feared a decrease in manual dexterity skills, anxiety related to studying and exams, and uncertainty as it related to their professional development. Significant disparities were found in preferred teaching methods between faculty and students, with students greatly preferring remote learning over live in-person lectures as compared to faculty. Lastly, the challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic provide opportunities for dental education development.