(PO-083) COVID-19 Impact on Student’s Clinical Education: Student and Faculty Prospective

Author: Shaista Rashid, B.D.S, M.S, M.P.H – Assistant Clinical Professor, A.T. Still University Missouri School of Dentistry & Oral Health
Author: Mohamed ElSalhy, B.D.M., M.Sc., M.P.H., Ph.D. – Assistant Professor, University of New England College of Dental Medicine
Submitter: Shaista Rashid, B.D.S, M.S, M.P.H – Assistant Clinical Professor, A.T. Still University Missouri School of Dentistry & Oral Health

Objective: To explore the impact of COVID-19 related changes on pre-doctoral dental students learning experience from student and faculty perspectives.

Methods: This qualitative study involved third- and fourth-year pre-doctoral dental students and full-time dental clinical faculty. A semi-structured interview guide was used. The interview guide consisted of 7 open-ended questions about the impact of the new COVID-19 related clinical changes on students learning experience in the dental clinic. Interviews were recorded, transcribed verbatim, and analyzed using a basic interpretative approach by two independent researchers. Emerged themes were identified.

Results: Total of six focus groups were conducted. Twelve faculty and twenty-one students participated. Thirteen students and five faculty members identified as females. Three major themes emerged: learning challenges, learning opportunities, and long-term impact. Four categories of learning challenges were identified by students were communication, visualization, clinical exposure, and heat. Five Learning challenges identified by faculty were faculty burnout, service delivery challenges, material wastage, teaching difficulties, and lack of comprehensive care. Students identified five learning opportunities from the clinical changes. There were autonomy, preparedness, efficiency, safety, and personalized feedback. Learning Opportunities identified by faculty were time management, autonomy, and preparedness. Three categories of long-term impact on students identified were future opportunities, adaptation, and post-graduation plans. Faculty identified apathy, career re-evaluation, and adaption as the long-term impact of COVID-related changes.

Conclusion: Although the new COVID-19 related changes in dental school clinical setting came with learning challenges, students and faculty saw learning opportunities by increased autonomy, preparedness, and efficiency. The impact of COVID-19 may extend beyond the current learning experiences as it may modify students’ long-term plans.