Disruptions during a pandemic: Gaps identified and lessons learned

Area of Science:

• Medical Education
• Public Health
• Dental Training

Background:

• The COVID-19 pandemic caused global disruptions, significantly affecting dental education and training.
• Dental institutions faced challenges in maintaining their educational mission due to closures and the shift to remote learning.
• The unique blend of didactic and hands-on clinical training in dentistry was severely impacted, particularly patient-based experiences.

Purpose of the Study:

• To discuss the implications of COVID-19 on dental education.
• To highlight lessons learned from the pandemic for future improvements.
• To emphasize the need for enhanced public health awareness and emergency preparedness in dental institutions.

Main Methods:

• This perspective article reviews the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on dental education.
• It analyzes the challenges posed by remote learning for clinical training.
• It identifies potential positive outcomes and future directions for dental curricula.

Main Results:

• Dental students missed crucial patient-based clinical experiences due to remote learning limitations.
• The pandemic highlighted the irreplaceable nature of hands-on training in dental education.
• Ongoing efforts to deliver didactic content remotely were noted.

Conclusions:

• The COVID-19 pandemic necessitates a re-evaluation of dental curricula and educational strategies.
• Lessons learned can foster curricular changes, improve public health awareness, and enhance preparedness for future health crises.
• Integrating public health principles into dental education is crucial for future resilience.