Impact of the Covid-19 Pandemic on Dental Students in Malaysia
(PO-026) Impact of the COVID-19 Pandemic on Dental Students in Malaysia
Sunday, March 20, 2022
1:00pm – 3:00pm EST
Location: Hall C
Author: WIDYA LESTARI, Ph.D. – ASSOC. PROF, INTERNATIONAL ISLAMIC UNIVERSITY MALAYSIA Author: NUR HAZIRAH YAZID, Dental Undergraduate Student Author: ZAWIN NAJAH AZHAR, Dental Undergraduate Student Author: AZLINI ISMAIL, Ph.D. – ASST. PROF, INTERNATIONAL ISLAMIC UNIVERSITY MALAYSIA Author: Sukotjo Cortino, D.M.D., Ph.D. Submitter: NUR HAZIRAH YAZID, Dental Undergraduate Student
Objective: The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic is caused by the novel coronavirus (SARS-CoV-2) that was first described in China. Its spread received worldwide attention and affected people from all walks of life, including dental students. Preventive measures such as the switch to remote online learning may indirectly affect dental students’ performance. This study aims to assess the impact of Covid-19 on mental, physical, financial health and academic concern among Malaysian dental students.
Methods: The present study was a cross sectional study on dental students in Malaysia. An online survey consisting of 28 questions was distributed to dental students (n=353) attending public and private universities in Malaysia. The survey evaluated the impact of COVID-19 on dental education. The questions covered respondents’ sociodemographic backgrounds and assessment of their physical, mental, and financial health status and academic concerns.
Results: Among the 353 respondents, 59.7% were clinical students and 40.3% were preclinical students. 76.2% were female, the rest were male. 55.8% attended hybrid mode of study. 78.0% of students were concerned about their emotional health, 76.5% were concerned about their physical health and 91.8% of the students were concerned about the amount of clinical skills they acquired. Year 3 students were more concerned about their mental and financial health (p < 0.05).
Conclusions: Dental students in Malaysia are significantly affected by the COVID-19 pandemic. Most were concerned regarding the quality of online learning and amount of clinical skills
