Review Article
Year: 2020 | Month: June | Volume: 10 | Issue: 6 | Pages: 207-212
Impact of COVID-19 Pandemic on Dental Education, Research, and Students
Saeed B. Alzahrani1, Adel A. Alrusayes2, Mohammed S. Aldossary3
1Deputy General Director, 2Consultant in Pediatric Dentistry, 3Specialist in Pediatric Dentistry,
General Directorate of Dentistry, Ministry of Health, Saudi Arabia
Corresponding Author: Mohammed S. Aldossary
ABSTRACT
The coronavirus (COVID-19) has challenged healthcare professionals and those in dental education, evoking various response methods worldwide. This article will address the possible impacts of the outbreak on dental education and its methodologies, clinical research, and psychological impacts on students. This is conducted through an in-depth review of the available literature on the relevant aspects of the field. Although the COVID-19 pandemic has caused many difficulties in providing clinical dentistry, dental educators are provided the opportunity to modernize their approaches to appropriate pedagogy via using new digital concepts as well as enhancing online communication and usage of learning platforms. Proper preparation for a potential second wave or another virus should be undertaken. The COVID-19 crisis has also shown that there is a severe underestimation of the role of the facilities and innovative technologies for e-oral health education and services, as well as tele-dentistry.
Key words: COVID-19, dental education, dental public health, dentistry, e-oral health