A cross-sectional multicenter survey on the future of dental education in the era of COVID-19: Alternatives and implications

Abstract

Purpose: The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic has significantly challenged dental education. This study investigated the procedures outlined by dental faculty members to maintain quality dental education in a safe bioenvironment and adequately control the risk of cross-infection. Method: Dental educators from dental schools around the world were invited to join an online survey considering different demographic factors. The survey consisted of 31 questions that were classified into separate sections, including academic characteristics, college size and facilities, action taken after announcement of the COVID-19 pandemic, perception of the pandemic, opinion regarding teaching, patient flow, possible facilities to implement for short- and long-term plans, and actions suggested to deal with the COVID-19 pandemic. Results: Two hundred-twelve responses were received. Respondents commonly agreed that COVID-19 will have major negative effects on dental education, adversely affecting all clinical disciplines. Shifting to virtual curricula, simulation labs, and distant learning were the prevailing actions taken in different dental colleges during the pandemic. Special attention was raised by the majority of respondents regarding dental aerosolizing procedures, preferring to postpone their training to a postpandemic/later phase. Coinciding opinions suggested adopting a future dynamic hybrid strategy analysis that combines online distant learning, virtual simulation, and haptic labs together with traditional direct clinical training on real patients. Conclusion: The future of dental education will have far-reaching changes in strategies and tools to cope with COVID-19 pandemic and the postpandemic requirements of an effective, yet safe, dental learning environment. Dental colleges need to invest in infection precautions and in modern virtual education and training facilities.