Impacts of Corona-virus Pandemic on the Preparedness of Dental Graduates at The University of Benghazi to Practice Dentistry

Abstract

Aim and objectives: The aim of this natural experimental study was to assess the impact of COVID-19 pandemic on the preparedness of dental graduate at the faculty of dentistry, University of Benghazi. Study design: A cross sectional mixed study design, a predesigned questionnaire known as graduate assessment of preparedness for practice (GAPP) questionnaire was used for quantitative data collection and supplemented by semi structured qualitative interviews to fully understand the issue of preparedness among dental graduates. Results: The overall response rate of 68.2%.,nearly 59.5% of the respondents were from pre-pandemic batch, the study finding showed the area of weakness of graduates preparedness were more prominent in the TMJ management (12%), orthodontics appliance repair (14.7%) and surgical extractions (37.2%) in clinical competences, most of the respondents considered themselves competent in taking history (86.2%), administering local anaesthesia (88.6%), and preforming direct restorations (85.6%), and to lesser extent prepared for simple tooth extraction (%79.2), periodontal treatment (%78.3) and preventive advice (%74.5), the pre-pandemic graduates demonstrated better confidence and competence in practicing dentistry independently but some areas remained deficient in both groups which indicates inherent problems in the dental curriculum at the UoB. Conclusion: The study findings suggest that the pandemic has negatively affected the learning process at the faculty of dentistry of UoB and highlights the need of curriculum reform and re-defining the competencies of Libyan dental graduate. Minimizing the numbers of admitted students and supporting the existing resources are mandatory to regain the quality dental training.