Impact of COVID-19 on dental education in Brazil

Abstract

This study aimed to evaluate the impact and operating strategies that the undergraduate dental programs in Brazil have adopted during the COVID-19 pandemic. A web survey approach was performed in May/June 2020. All coordinators of dental programs in Brazil were contacted by e-mail and invited to answer an online questionnaire consisting of eight questions on four domains: suspension of academic activities, activities maintained, teaching alternatives offered and changes in planning after the pandemic outbreak. The response rate was analyzed by stratifying the program's legal nature, result of the national performance assessment and time of the establishment of the programs. The data from the responses to the questionnaires were analyzed using descriptive statistics. Of a total of 481 programs, 230 responded to the survey (47.8%). The response rate was 100% for public programs and 40.8% for private programs. Most programs (83.3%) suspended all presential activities, and a small portion maintained only emergency care. Few programs completely suspended activities (16.7%), while most maintained theoretical activities using virtual environments (Google Meet or Hangouts, Zoom or Microsoft Teams). Most programs (50%) organized discussions to ensure the graduation of senior students and adopted alternative means for student assessment (30%). Planning the return of activities mainly involves adaptation to the protocols for clinical care (86.3%) and social distancing (82.4%). The pandemic directly impacted the functioning of Brazilian dental programs by causing the total suspension of practical activities and migration of theoretical activities to virtual environments.