Dental Student Perceptions of Distance Education over Time: A Mixed-Methods Study

Area of Science:

• Dental Education
• Medical Education Technology

Background:

• The COVID-19 pandemic necessitated a rapid shift to distance learning in dental education.
• This transition prompted an examination of the perceived advantages and challenges of remote versus traditional in-person learning environments.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate dental students' perceptions of distance learning during the COVID-19 pandemic.
• To assess the impact of distance learning on dental students' educational experiences.

Main Methods:

• A convergent mixed-methods design was utilized.
• Quantitative data were collected through three online surveys conducted from 2020 to 2022.
• Qualitative data were gathered via semi-structured interviews in 2022, followed by thematic analysis.

Main Results:

• Students initially perceived distance learning negatively but developed more positive views as they adapted.
• Participants believed distance learning is most effective for didactic content, suggesting 25-50% of such courses be delivered online.
• Perceptions improved even after returning to hybrid and in-person learning formats.

Conclusions:

• Distance learning offered opportunities to enhance dental curricula and improve learning effectiveness during the pandemic.
• A hybrid learning model, integrating traditional and distance learning components, is proposed as an effective strategy for future dental education.