(PO-090) Dental Education Practices During COVID-19: A Scoping Review

Author: Robin Kerkstra, Kerkstra, RDH, MSDH – Assistant Professor, University of New Haven
Author: Khyati Rustagi, BDS – University of New Haven
Author: Alyssa Grimshaw, MSLIS. IPI PMC – Clinical Research and Education Librarian, Yale University
Author: Karl Minges, Ph.D., MPH – Interim Dean, University of New Haven
Submitter: Robin Kerkstra, Kerkstra, RDH, MSDH – Assistant Professor, University of New Haven

Objectives: Dental education was brought to a halt with the emergence of COVID-19. Traditional dental education comprised of students working closely with educators in a clinical lab setting, however, public health precautions necessitated a shift to a virtual learning platform. A scoping review of dental education practices since the start of the pandemic will help to understand approaches educators have taken to provide dental education during this unprecedented time and suggest future applications of virtual learning in dental education.

Methods: We performed an exhaustive scoping literature search of primary peer-reviewed intervention articles published between December 2019 to March 2021 using the following databases: Academic Search Premier, Cochrane Library, Embase, ERIC, LitCovid, MedEdPortal, MedRxiv, Medline, Scopus, and Web of Science. The selection process included two independent reviewers through each phase of review. Articles were categorized and analyzed by domains such as assessment, instruction, instructional technology, and software.



Results: A total of 629 articles were identified; after titles and abstracts were reviewed, 66 articles were selected for full-text review. Following full-text review, 41 articles met eligibility criteria and comprised our study sample. Advantages to online dental education were identified within the domains of assessment, instruction, instructional technology, and software. Barriers to virtual and online education included problems with technology, classroom time management, lack of student interaction, and absence of hands-on training.

Conclusion: Evidence suggests emerging best practices in dental education during COVID-19, and recommendations for the future of virtual and distance learning in dental education.