Evaluation and Perception of the Immediate Impact of COVID-19 on Dental Education: An Observational Study

Background The primary aim of the study is to assess how the COVID-19 pandemic has affected dental education for students and teachers, particularly concerning the efficiency of online teaching strategies for both clinical and academic outcomes. Additionally, it also emphasizes psychological behavior like stress and anxiety in the post-pandemic era due to academic pressure. Materials and methods The study included 300 undergraduate dental students from various years of studying and 31 teachers actively teaching in dental college from all nine departments. The questionnaire was created in Google Forms for both students and teachers. The questionnaire contained various aspects of an education system that was adopted post-pandemic. The questions were given to evaluate the opinions of students as well as teachers to understand which method of teaching is preferable for them. Whether it's an online method of teaching or the offline mode, out of which the majority of respondents preferred the offline method of teaching. Result Most of the respondents agreed that the pandemic had affected their academic as well as clinical performance. Online mode of learning was not as effective as face-to-face learning. It did not affect the students clinically but mentally, which made them more anxious and stressed out during their studies and preparation for exams. Teachers too had to face a lot of problems from technical aspects while teaching online which led to mental stress and anxiety. This study re-emphasizes the negative impact of COVID-19 on dental education. It also further highlights the more fundamental changes and improvements that are desperately needed in the education system to adapt and overcome the current pandemic situation and future such events. Conclusion The COVID-19 pandemic has significantly impacted educational institutions, curricula, and clinical practice. Dental students are particularly vulnerable, and online education platforms in India face challenges in regulation. The quality of materials, technical assistance, and expertise in online classes significantly impact teaching and learning experiences. The pandemic has led to concerns about students and staff contracting the disease, creating a skill gap in dental graduates, and loss of clinical exposure, causing more anxiety. To address these concerns, regular, open, and compassionate communication with students is essential. Educational institutions must undergo a transformation to adapt to the pandemic and potential future disasters.