Dental Students’ Experiences during the COVID-19 Pandemic—A Cross-Sectional Study from Norway

Abstract

The purpose of this cross-sectional study was to map dental students’ experience of the study situation throughout the pandemic. All clinical dental students (year 3 to 5) at the Faculty of Medicine, Department of Clinical Dentistry (IKO), University of Bergen (UiB), Norway, were invited. Participation was anonymous and voluntary, and the response rate was 63%. Questions regarding stress-related factors were divided into three categories. In the category «Stressors/learning», a statistically significant difference was observed between both the genders (p = 0.001) and years of study (p = 0.028). Statistically significant differences between the genders were also observed in the category «Stressors/infection» (p = 0.008). Women were significantly more stressed due to lack of clinical skills (p = 0.048), not receiving as good theoretical teaching as before the pandemic (p = 0.016), and uncertain issues around the exams (p = 0.000). Fourth year students were significantly more stressed due to lack of clinical skills (p = 0.012), for not passing the clinic/skills courses due to lack of study progression (p = 0.005), and worries about not being a good enough dentist after graduation (p = 0.002). In conclusion, the pandemic had a major impact on dental students. The most prominent stressors in relation to the study situation were experienced by students from the fourth year and female students. Clinical and theoretical learning outcomes among students were regarded as worse than before the pandemic. The students preferred in presence lectures, but experienced digital asynchronous video lectures as a good alternative. The pandemic negatively affected the students’ social life. Dental schools should be aware that students have been exposed to increased distress and burden through the pandemic and should provide support for those in need.

The Effect of the Covid-19 Pandemic on Specialty Choices of Dental Students

“…These results imply that these factors, probably not alone, have contributed to the thought of dropping out in this group of students. Students usually feel aggravated anxiety in the course of outbreaks and pandemics (Gurgel et al, 2020;Løset et al, 2022). This anxiety, which is even more intense in clinical students (Wong et al, 2004;Løset et al, 2022), might impact both their daily lives and career plans directly.…”

“…Students usually feel aggravated anxiety in the course of outbreaks and pandemics (Gurgel et al, 2020;Løset et al, 2022). This anxiety, which is even more intense in clinical students (Wong et al, 2004;Løset et al, 2022), might impact both their daily lives and career plans directly. Among the clinical students that had thoughts of dropping out of dental education in this study, the ratio of those that were in search of a dental specialty requiring less close contact while treating patients due to the COVID-19 pandemic was signi cantly higher than the rest, which may also be the attributed to the increased level of anxiety.…”

Comparing Mental Health, Wellbeing and Flourishing in Undergraduate Students Pre- and during the COVID-19 Pandemic

“…It should be noted that numerous studies [ 7 , 8 , 9 ] have distinguished between the wellbeing of various student populations within the broad undergraduate student population. These studies have indicated dissimilarities in student populations relating to gender differences, field of study and year of education.…”

“…The complexities of the wellbeing of students in the health sciences have, for instance, been especially pertinent. In a study that mapped the complex experiences of dental students in years three to five [ 8 ], women were found to be significantly more stressed due to a lack of clinical skills ( p = 0.048). The study also highlighted elevated stress levels due to a lack of existing clinical skills ( p = 0.012) and challenges in terms of being able to complete the required clinical skills courses.…”

“…The study also highlighted elevated stress levels due to a lack of existing clinical skills ( p = 0.012) and challenges in terms of being able to complete the required clinical skills courses. Students in this study expressed concerns about “not being a good enough dentist” after graduation ( p = 0.002) [ 8 ] (p. 1). This study indicates that the highest stress levels were experienced by fourth year and female dental students.…”