Co-creation to Develop Interventions to Facilitate Deep Reflection for Dental Students.

Background: Deep reflective practice is important in healthcare education to allow students to explore emotions associated with the learning experience, access deeper learning and develop their personal and professional identity. Previous research demonstrated that the current methods of reflective practice using logbooks at the end of a clinical session to facilitate reflection within this setting were viewed as suboptimal by staff and student users. To address this problem co-creation, or a 'students as partners' approach, was used to develop and implement a comprehensive intervention to facilitate deep reflection for undergraduate dental students. This included the production of educational resources, and development of an online safe space to reflect. Approach: In this paper we discuss the process of using co-creation with undergraduate dental students as a research methodology to successfully produce curricular change with respect to reflective practice by involving the voice and experience of student partners. These student partners were part of a team that included researchers and teaching staff and worked with other stakeholders within the institution within a wider team. Evaluation: This paper demonstrates the positive benefits of using co-creation with undergraduate dental students for students such as increased confidence, developing professional and personal skills and impacting meaningful change. Reflection: For researchers and educators, the process gave motivation and enjoyment in curricular development to address pedagogical problems and ensured that the developed intervention was sustainable and appropriate. The paper discusses benefits and challenges of co-creation to develop curricular change. This co-creation approach is recommended for solving similar problems in healthcare education.

Emotional Intelligence, Depression, Stress and Anxiety Amongst Undergraduate Dental Students During the COVID-19 Pandemic.

Objectives: This study aimed to measure depression, anxiety and stress (DAS) among undergraduate dental students during the COVID-19 pandemic, identify key contributing factors of stress and explore the association of emotional intelligence to DAS. Methods: A multi-centre, cross-sectional study was conducted across four universities in Malaysia. The study administered a questionnaire consisting of the validated Depression Anxiety Stress Scale (DASS), Dental Environment Stress (DES), Emotional Intelligence Scale (EI) and 10 statements assessing COVID-19 specific potential stressor factors. Results: Participants included 791 students across four universities. Abnormal levels of DAS were identified in 60.6%, 66.8% and 42.6% of the study participants, respectively. "Pressure of performance," "Faculty administration" and "Self-efficacy belief" were the highest rated stressors. On-time graduation was the main COVID-19 specific stressor factor. EI was negatively correlated with DAS scores (p < 0.001). Conclusion: The levels of DAS during COVID-19 pandemic in this population is high. However, participants with higher EI presented with lower DAS suggesting that EI may be a form of coping resource and should be enhanced in this population.

The effect of access to electronic resources during examination on medical and dental students scores in summative assessment: quasi experimental study.

BACKGROUND: Access to electronic (E) resources has become an indispensable requirement in medical education and practice. OBJECTIVE: Our objective was to assess the effect of E-resources access during examination on end-course-exam scores of medical and dental students. METHODS: A quasi-experimental study which included two cohorts of medical (n = 106 & 85) and three cohorts of dental students (n = 66, 64 and 69) who took end-course- exams. Each exam was composed of two- parts (Part I and II), that encompassed equal number of questions and duration. Access to E-resources was allowed in part-II only. Items Difficulty Index (DI), Discrimination Index, (DisI), Point Biserial, (PBS) and cognitive level were determined. RESULTS: The study included 390 students. The proportion of items at various levels of DI, DisI, and PBS and the average values for item DI, DisI in both parts of each exam were comparable. The average scores in part-II were significantly higher than part-I (P < 0.001, < 0.001 and 0.04) and lower-order cognitive-level items scores were higher in three exams (P < 0.0001, 0.0001, 0.0001). Higher- order cognitive level items scores were comparable between part I and II in all courses. The significant factor for change in marks were questions cognitive level and type of the course. CONCLUSION: Access to E-resources during examination does not make a significant difference in scores of higher-order cognitive level items. Question cognitive level and course type were the significant factors for the change in exam scores when accessing E-resources. Time-restricted E-resources accessed tests that examine higher cognitive level item had no significant academic integrity drawback.

Evaluación de la ansiedad en los estudiantes de Odontología durante la pandemia de la COVID-19 / Assessment of anxiety in dental students during the Covid-19 pandemic

La pandemia por COVID-19 ha tenido un gran impacto en la actividad dental, y grandes repercusiones en la educa ción dental. El objetivo de este estudio fue analizar la presencia de ansiedad en los estudiantes de odontología durante el primer confinamiento por la COVID-19, y estudiar su relación con factores sociode mográficos, la sintomatología relacionada con la enfermedad, la realización de cua rentena y el miedo a contraer la enferme dad.Se realizó un estudio observacional y transversal con un cuestionario donde se registraron los datos marcados en los objetivos y se realizó la escala de ansie dad generalizada (GAD-7). El análisis estadístico se realizó mediante la prue ba Chi-cuadrado de Pearson, la prueba exacta de Fisher y un análisis de regre sión lineal multivariante.Los resultados mostraron unos niveles elevados de ansiedad, siendo los estudiantes ≥26 años, las mujeres y los que guardaron cuarentena los que presentaron mayor ansiedad. La realización de pruebas diagnósticas supuso una disminución del nivel de ansiedad.Los estudiantes de odontología se vieron directamente afectados durante el confinamiento, siendo necesario implementar medidas como la realización de estudios que valoren su evolución a lo largo de los siguientes cursos, desde el punto de vista de su salud mental y desarrollo curricular (AU)

Dental activity and education have been severely affected by the COVID-19 pandemic. The aim of the present study was to evaluate the anxiety levels in dental students during the first confinement due to COVID-19, and to analyze its relationship with sociodemographic factors, disease-related symptoms, the carrying out of quarantine and fear of contracting the disease. An observational and cross-sectional study was carried out through a questionnaire, which the previously mentioned data were recorded and anxiety was evaluated using the generalized anxiety scale (GAD-7). Statistical analysis was performed using Pearson’s Chi-square test, Fisher’s exact test, and multivariate linear regression analysis. The results showed high levels of anxiety, furthermore, the students ≥26 years old, women and those who were in quarantine had the highest anxiety. Diagnostic testing led to a decrease in the level of anxiety. Dentistry students were directly affected during the confinement, and it is necessary to implement measures such as studies to assess their evolution throughout the following courses, from the point of view of their mental health and curricular development (AU)

Impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the academic training and psychosocial well-being of undergraduate dental students in Nigeria.

Background: Most educational institutions in Nigeria were shut down for a long while at the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic as a preventive measure, and this affected dental students' academic and clinical training. Aim: To determine the influence of the pandemic on the academic, clinical training, and psychosocial well-being of dental students in Nigeria. Subjects and Methods: This cross-sectional survey was conducted among undergraduate dental students in clinical years in Nigerian dental schools. Participants received the questionnaire through an online platform, it had four sections; socio-demographics, impact on academic training, psychosocial well-being, and an open-ended segment for participants' suggestions to challenges. A mixed method was utilized to analyze the data. The statistical significance level was P < 0.05. Results: One hundred two dental students from nine dental schools participated, with a mean age of 25.3 ± 2.4 years. There were 56 (54.9%) males. Most students, 80 (78.4%) reported that their stay-at-home had not been rewarding academically. The majority, 90 (88.2%) were worried about contracting COVID-19 on school resumption. Participants' psychosocial well-being had significant associations with gender (P = 0.001) and self-directed learning during their stay-at-home (P = 0.001). More female students, 33 (71.7%) were severely worried compared to males 20 (35.7%). Their major suggestions were to commence online teaching and examinations (40.1%) and be provided with adequate personal protective equipment (18.6%). Conclusion: Most undergraduate students in Nigeria were anxious about COVID-19, and females were more affected. This negatively impacted their academic and clinical training. This underscores the importance of adequate psychological support for undergraduate dental students by school authorities.

Impact of Social Support on Perceived Stress in Latin American and Caribbean Dental Students and Dental Practitioners during Mandatory Social Isolation within the Coronavirus Pandemic in 2020.

OBJECTIVE: To determine the impact of social support on perceived stress in Latin American and Caribbean dental students and dental practitioners during mandatory social isolation within the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic in 2020. METHODS: A cross-sectional study was conducted with a sample of 1812 dental students and dental practitioners from 21 Latin American and Caribbean countries. Perceived stress was assessed using the perceived stress scale (PSS-14), and the influence of social support was addressed using the Duke-UNC-11. Additionally, sociodemographic variables, knowledge of and preventive behaviour against COVID-19 and health status were considered. A descriptive, bivariate and multivariate analysis was performed through multiple linear regression. RESULTS: In the multivariate analysis, model 4 presented R2% = 21.20 (P < 0.001), a constant of 40.049; within the model, the social support variable had a non-standardised regression coefficient (b) of -4,527 (95% CI - 5.646 to -3,408; P < 0.001), the self-perceived level of concern regarding COVID-19 was b = 1.838 (95% confidence interval [CI] 0.887 to 2.790; P < 0.001), the self-perceived health status was b = -2.191(95% CI -2.944 to -1.437; P < 0.001), the number of days in compulsory isolation was b = -0.965 (95% CI -1.908 to -0.022; P = 0.045), while the level of confinement was b = 0.923 (95%CI: 0.106-1.740; P = 0.027), age was b = -1.743 (95% CI -2.625 to -0.860; P < 0.001), sex was b = 1.324 (95% CI 0.311 to 2.337; P = 0.011) and the economic income level was b = -1.539 (95% CI -2.434 to -0.644; P = 0.001). CONCLUSION: An association was determined between perceived stress and social support, as well as the variables of concern about the disease, self-perceived health status, number of days and level of confinement, age, sex and economic income level, based on the experience of dental practitioners and dental students in mandatory isolation.

Comparison of the Relationship between Temporomandibular Disorder and Oral Habits or Quality of Life in Dentistry Students in Different Years of Education.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the prevalence of temporomandibular disorder (TMD) in dental faculty students in different years of education and investigate the relationship between TMD and oral habits or quality of life. METHODS: The Fonseca Anamnestic Index (FAI) questionnaire was used to determine the prevalence and severity of TMD, the Oral Behaviors Checklist (OBC) questionnaire served to determine the severity of harmful oral habits/parafunctions and the Oral Health Impact Profile-14 (OHIP-14) questionnaire was used to evaluate the quality of life in a total of 452 dentistry students (269 women and 183 men) in different years of education. RESULTS: With regard to incidence of TMD, a total of 215 women had TMD (215/269, 79.9%), which was significantly higher than that in men (87/183, 47.5%) (P < 0.001). According to the OBC and OHIP-14 questionnaire results, harmful oral habits and quality of life showed a low to moderately significant correlation with TMD (P < 0.05). CONCLUSION: The Fonseca, OHIP-14 and OBC questionnaires allow early and inexpensive determination of oral habits that increase the prevalence of TMD. The prevalence of TMD in dentistry students at the clinical education stage is higher than those who have not progressed to the clinical education stage.

Prevalence of Symptoms of Depression, Anxiety, and Stress among Undergraduate Dental Students in Malaysia.

AIM: The aim of this study was to assess the prevalence of depression, anxiety, and stress among dental students and its association with factors such as gender, year of study, phase of the course, and ethnicity. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A questionnaire-based cross-sectional study was conducted among medical students in a medical institute in Malaysia. Prevalence of depression, anxiety, and stress was assessed by Depression, Anxiety, and Stress Scale-21 (DASS-21). RESULTS: A total of 351 students took part in the study with a mean age of 22.38 (+1.69) years. The overall prevalence of depression, anxiety, and stress with varying severity among the study population was 60.4, 75.2, and 50.4%, respectively. The prevalence of symptoms of depression among the study population appears to be independent of gender, ethnicity, and academic year of study. Our results show that stress and anxiety may be influenced by gender with more prevalence in females. CONCLUSION: Early detection of symptoms of depression, anxiety and stress is of great importance to take timely remedial action to keep the mental well-being of individuals. Maintaining the mental health of young medical professionals is a need of society in the present world. Further studies are suggested to recognize other factors associated with depression, anxiety, and stress among dental students. CLINICAL SIGNIFICANCE: Considering the students who experience depression, anxiety, or stress during undergraduate schooling, appropriate measures shall be taken to ensure effective learning. Students who have shown higher scores shall be advised for further follow-up and treatment strategies or appropriate counseling programs.

Associação entre características infantis e estresse de alunos de graduação durante atendimento odontopediátrico / Association between childhood characteristics and stress in undergraduate students during pediatric dental care

Objetivo: O objetivo desse trabalho foi avaliar a associação entre as características das crianças com o estresse apresentado por estudantes de graduação em Odontologia durante o atendimento odontopediátrico. Materiais e métodos: Participaram 48 crianças com idade entre 6 e 10 anos e 37 alunos voluntários do 7º, 8º e 9º semestres de um curso de Odontologia. Foi realizado um questionário sobre aspectos socioeconômicos e também coletados dados sobre comportamento, percepção de dor e ansiedade da criança e do responsável. Ainda, foram coletados dados relacionados aos alunos da graduação: sexo, semestre, nível de estresse, tipo de procedimento realizado. Foram obtidas as frequências absolutas e relativas por meio da análise descritiva dos dados. As comparações nos desfechos de interesse foram feitas utilizando o teste quiquadrado para variáveis dicotômicas e categóricas, teste linear por linear para variável ordinal e teste exato de Fischer para contagens menor do que 5. Foi adotado um nível de significância de 5%. Resultados: Os resultados mostraram que a maioria dos operadores que atenderam crianças não colaboradoras relataram nível de estresse alto (83,33%) (p<0,001). Os operadores que atenderam crianças com nível de ansiedade médio ou alto relataram nível de estresse alto (p= 0,043) e em pacientes com dor, o nível de estresse da maioria dos operadores foi considerado alto (75%) (p=0,001). Conclusão: as características das crianças influenciaram no estresse apresentado pelo aluno operador durante o atendimento odontológico infantil. Crianças ansiosas, não colaboradoras e que estavam sentindo dor durante o atendimento deixaram o operador mais estressado.

Objective: The aim of this study was to evaluate the association between the characteristics of children and the stress presented by undergraduate dentistry students during pediatric dental care. Materials and Methods: Participants were 48 children aged between 6 to 10 years old and 37 volunteer students from the 7th, 8th and 9th semesters of a Dentistry course. A questionnaire on socioeconomic aspects was carried out and data on behavior, perception of pain and anxiety of the child and the guardian were also collected. Also, data related to undergraduate students were collected: sex, semester, stress level, type of procedure performed. Absolute and relative frequencies were obtained through descriptive data analysis. Comparisons in the outcomes of interest were made using the chi-square test for dichotomous and categorical variables, linear by linear test for ordinal variable, and Fisher's exact test for counts less than 5. A significance level of 5% was adopted. Results: The results showed that students who assisted non-cooperative children reported a high level of stress (83.33%) (p<0.001). Students who assisted children with medium or high levels of anxiety reported high levels of stress. (p=0.043) and in patients with pain, the students' stress level was considered high (75%) (p=0.001). Conclusion: The characteristics of the children influenced the stress presented by the student during child dental care. Anxious children, noncooperative and who were in pain during care left the student more stressed.

Conocimientos, actitudes y prácticas sobre prevención y control de infecciones (PCI) en alumnos de Estomatología de la UAM-Xochimilco / Knowledge, attitudes and practices on infection prevention and control in Stomatology students UAM-Xochimilco

Introducción: la prevención y control de infecciones (PCI) pretenden prevenir, detener y propagar enfermedades infecciosas en pacientes y trabajadores de la salud. Este enfoque debe comenzar con la formación y capacitación del profesional de la salud, inmunizaciones recomendadas y ejecución de medidas universales de protección. Objetivos: evaluar conocimientos, actitudes y prácticas en la prevención y control de infec- ciones de los estudiantes y pasantes de servicio social de la licenciatura en Estomatología de la UAM-X. Material y métodos: se realizó un estudio descriptivo, transversal y observacional mediante una encuesta anónima como instrumento para recolección de datos a una muestra de 108 alumnos y pasantes. Resultados: se encontró que al contestar el interrogatorio sobre «prevención y control de infecciones¼, 59.3% tuvo un nivel de conocimientos aceptable y 40.7% tuvo un nivel muy bueno. De los encuestados, 87% desinfecta y cambia las barreras de protección entre cada paciente, 9.3% al comenzar y finalizar el día; el restante 3.7%, cuando está visiblemente sucio o cuando hay derrame de sustancias de líquidos corporales. Conclusión: los encuestados tienen adecuados conocimientos y prácticas, lo que infiere que tienen el sustento teórico y habilidades para enfrentarse a la etapa postpandemia para la atención de pacientes (AU)

ntroduction: infection prevention and control (IPC) efforts to prevent, stopping and spreading infectious diseases in patients and healthcare workers. This approach should begin with education and training of the health professional, recommended immunizations and implementation of universal protective measures. Objectives: to evaluate knowledge, attitudes and practices in infection prevention and control stomatology career's students and social service interns UAM-X. Material and methods: a descriptive, cross-sectional and observational study was carried out using an anonymous survey as an instrument for data collection from a sample of 108 students and interns. Results: it was found that when answering the questionnaire on «infection prevention and control¼, 59.3% had an acceptable level of knowledge and 40.7% had a very good level. 87% of the respondents disinfect and change the protective barriers between each patient, 9.3% at the beginning and end of the day; the remaining 3.7% when visibly dirty or when there is spillage of body fluids. Conclusion: respondents have adequate knowledge and practices, inferring that they have the theoretical support and skills to face the post-pandemic stage of patient care (AU)

Assessment of stress burden among dental students: A systematic literature review and meta-analysis of data.

BACKGROUND: The education of dentists is associated with high levels of stress among students. This phenomenon is observed in many countries. OBJECTIVES: The aim of the study was to sum up the knowledge about stress burden among dental students and to determine the causal factors on the basis of a quantitative systematic review of the literature. MATERIAL AND METHODS: The PubMed/MEDLINE and Cochrane Library databases were reviewed, and the literature was manually searched for the following keywords: 'stress'; 'dental student'; 'dental education'; and 'DES questionnaire'. The inclusion criteria for the systematic literature review were original papers and literature reviews, published after 1990, written in English, containing the analysis of the DES questionnaires, and on the topic of stress among students of dentistry. The inclusion criteria for the meta-analysis were publications with the same thematic structure of the DES questionnaire and with the number of survey participants provided. RESULTS: A total of 36 original papers were found, out of which 29 met the inclusion criteria, and thus were included into the systematic literature review analysis. Taking all the papers into consideration, the highest level of stress was caused by grades and examinations, and the atmosphere created by clinical professors. Nearly half of the studies demonstrated higher levels of stress in women. Also, students of higher years were characterized by higher stress indicators. The statistical analysis comprised data from 11 European universities that met the inclusion criteria. The highest mean scores were obtained for 'performance pressure', while the lowest mean scores for 'relationship with sex/race'. CONCLUSION: There was a great heterogeneity among the pooled estimates, which could be attributed to the varying levels of stress among dental students. The students' ethnicity and cultural indicators have a decisive influence on the stress levels of dental students, not the characteristics of the field of study.

Undergraduate dental students' perspective of online learning and their physical and mental health during COVID-19 pandemic.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE: COVID-19 pandemic continuously spread exacerbating global concerns. It had impacted all life aspects such as social, cultural, economic and education. This study assess the impact of COVID-19 pandemic on undergraduate dental students at Faculty of Dentistry, University of Malaya. The objective of this study is to evaluate the impact of the pandemic on physical and mental health of undergraduate dental students. METHODS: This is a cross-sectional study. An online questionnaire was administrated to 150 undergraduate dental students. The questionnaire included questions related to students' demographic data, their concerns on academic achievement, their opinion on institution response, and the impact of the crisis on their mental and physical health. SPSS software v26.0 was used to analyse the collected data. RESULTS: A total of 147 respondents participated in the study. About 66% of the students felt comfortable in adapting to the new technology while 85.7% were concerned about the quality of online learning. Almost all students 98.6% expressed their doubts on the ability to pass the competency exams and to graduate on time, with only 49.7% agreed that clinical experience was effectively delivered through online classes. Most students were also concerned on the impact of the pandemic on their physical and emotional health 85.8% and 76.9% respectively. CONCLUSIONS: The findings of our study highlight the positive adaptation of the students to online learning and using technology. On the other hand, the study indicates that the COVID-19 pandemic brings negative impacts on our students' physical and mental health.

Knowledge, Practice, and Awareness of Oral Cancer and HPV Infection among Dental Students and Residents: A Cross-Sectional Study.

Background and Objectives: Dentists play a very important part in the early identification of oral cancer lesions. This aspect of dental practice depends on the knowledge acquired during the faculty years. The aim of this study was to assess dental students' and residents' levels of awareness in terms of oral cancer. Materials and Methods: The cross-sectional study was conducted at the Faculty of Dental Medicine within the "Grigore T. Popa" University of Medicine and Pharmacy in Iasi, on a sample of 197 students in the fourth and the fifth years and first year residents in general dentistry. To assess their knowledge, a questionnaire was created containing 22 questions about the risk factors for oral cancer, with a focus on HPV infection. Results: Most participants correctly identified smoking, alcohol, and the HPV infection as risk factors and leukoplakia and erythroplasia as potentially malignant lesions. At the opposite site, aspects considered as unsatisfactory focused on the palpation of lymphatic nodules, a procedure largely carried out by 41.6% of the fourth year students, the counseling only of the patients at risk performed by 59.7% of residents, the lack of knowledge about the prevention of oral cancer through anti-HPV immunization found in 39.7% of the fifth year students. Other incorrect answers focused on other types of suspicious lesions, such as actinic cheilitis, as well as certain areas in the oral cavity subject to the frequent onset of oral cancer, such as buccal mucosa. Conclusions: Although the fifth year students and residents have better knowledge than the fourth year students, the gaps in terms of knowledge and practice encountered in all three categories of participants require a reevaluation of the academic curriculum and the focus on the building of the skills necessary for the correct screening of oral cancer.

Percepción de alumnos de odontología de la asignatura en línea de anatomía en tiempos de COVID-19 / Dentistry students' perception of the online anatomy subject in times of COVID-19

RESUMEN: El año 2020, la pandemia por COVID-19 forzó a que toda la docencia universitaria se dictase de forma telemática, lo que incluye la enseñanza de anatomía humana. El objetivo de este trabajo fue evaluar la percepción de los alumnos con respecto a los recursos digitales y estrategias activas utilizadas en la versión en línea de la asignatura de anatomía humana. La muestra estuvo constituida por 77 estudiantes de primer año de Odontología que cursaban la asignatura de anatomía. Para la recogida de datos se utilizó un cuestionario de auto aplicación y la realización de tres focus groups con preguntas semi-estructuradas. Los datos cuantitativos se analizaron con estadística descriptiva y los cualitativos mediante teoría fundamentada. El análisis cualitativo determinó 6 categorías relevantes expresadas por los estudiantes: posibilidad de trabajar colaborativamente, espacios de retroalimentación, tipo de información, uso del material, percepción del académico y el factor tiempo. Respecto al análisis cuantitativo, el manual de Anatomía Aplicada para Estudiantes de Odontología fue el recurso digital mejor evaluado (p< 0,005), lo cual fue estadísticamente significativo. Seguido por el atlas 3D de Visible Body como el segundo recurso digital mejor evaluado (p < 0,005). Mientras que el análisis de casos clínicos y la realización de dibujos fueron las estrategias activas mejor evaluadas, las cuales fueron estadísticamente significativas (p< 0,005). El recurso digital más recomendado por los estudiantes fue el manual (30,4 %) seguido por el atlas 3D de Visible Body (28,5 %). La estrategia activa más recomendada fue el rotulado grupal de modelos del manual (37,5 %). Los alumnos perciben positivamente la virtualización de la asigna- tura destacando el rol del docente mediante la retroalimentación y la interacción entre pares.

SUMMARY: In 2020, the COVID-19 pandemic forced all university teaching to be taught online, including the teaching of human anatomy. The objective of this work was to evaluate the students' perception regarding digital resources and active strategies used in the online version of the human anatomy subject. The sample consisted of 77 first-year dentistry students who were studying anatomy. For data collection, a self-application questionnaire and three focus groups with semi-structured questions were used. Quantitative data were analyzed with descriptive statistics and qualitative data using grounded theory. The qualitative analysis determined 6 relevant categories expressed by the students: possibility of working collaboratively, feedback spaces, type of information, use of the material, perception of the academic and the time factor. Regarding the quantitative analysis, the manual of Applied Anatomy for Dentistry Students was the best evaluated digital resource (p<0.005), which was statistically significant. It was followed by the Visible Body 3D atlas as the second best evaluated digital resource (p < 0.005). While the analysis of clinical cases and the making of drawings were the best evaluated active strategies, they were statistically significant (p<0.005). The most recommended digital resource by the students, was the manual (30.4%) followed by the Visible Body 3D atlas (28.5 %). The most recommended active strategy was group labeling of manual models (37.5 %). Students positively perceive the virtualization of the subject, highlighting the role of the teacher through feedback and peer interaction.

Social media use, professional behaviors online, and perceptions toward e-professionalism among dental students.

OBJECTIVES: This study aimed to assess self-reported social media use, professional behaviors online, and perceptions on e-professionalism while using social media among dental students in two Southeast Asian universities. METHODS: This cross-sectional study involved clinical dental students at University of Malaya (UM), Malaysia (n = 150) and Airlangga University (AU), Indonesia (n = 150). A questionnaire was distributed using Google Form via WhatsApp network. Data were analyzed using descriptive, Chi-square, and Wilcoxon rank-sum tests. RESULTS: All students responded (n = 300) and reported as active social media users. Majority spent ≥ 1 h a day on social media and checked their social media > 6 times a day. Most commonly used social media accounts were Instagram (UM: 92.7%, AU: 95.3%) and Facebook (UM: 94.7%, AU: 59.3%). A small proportion of UM and AU students admitted to posting clinical photographs, patient records, and comments about patients on social media. UM students had significantly better scores in terms of their professionalism behaviors on maintaining the integrity of the profession compared to AU students (p < 0.001). Meanwhile AU students had better scores than UM students on behaviors related to upholding colleagues' professional image on social media (p = 0.421). Most students in UM and AU shared similar positive perceptions toward online professionalism behavior statements. Majority reported concerns over unprofessional posts online. CONCLUSION: Self-reported behaviors online sometimes contradict with students' perceptions and concerns about being unprofessional online. There is a need for clearer educational guidelines on how to instill e-professionalism values and behaviors among dental students.

Alcohol use among US dental students: Results of a nationwide survey.

PURPOSE/OBJECTIVES: Substance use may be a consequence of dental student stress. Studies have examined the alcohol use among medical students, but there are fewer studies among dental students. The purpose of this study was to examine alcohol use in a large geographically diverse sample of US Dental Students. METHODS: An anonymous web-based survey instrument was modeled after well-known surveys of college student substance use. Survey data collection used best practices for web-based surveys when possible. RESULTS: 2019 responses were collected with the cooperation of fifteen US dental schools (potential sample size: 6029; RR: 7.6%, n = 463). 2021 responses were collected using the American Student Dental Association email list (potential sample size: 18,722; RR: 2.2%, n = 424). Respondents came from all regions of the US. Thirty-day alcohol usage and binge drinking rates were somewhat higher among dental students than college-age students from other surveys. Women's 30-day prevalence of alcohol use was slightly higher than men, but binge drinking prevalence was greater among men. Prevalence of binge drinking was higher among white students, as was mean drinks per drinking occasion. Students who self-reported below average academic performance were more likely to report drinking to get away from problems and had a higher prevalence of some alcohol-related problems (ARPs). CONCLUSIONS: Despite the limitations of this study, the results are consistent with that of other studies. This study has provided some valuable insight into the prevalence of alcohol usage and ARPs among US dental students. Of special concern are the reasons for drinking as mechanisms for relieving tension and stress, which may continue into dental practice.

Academic performance and attitudes of dental students impacted by COVID-19.

OBJECTIVES: Previous studies only focused on attitudes and behaviors of US dental students without examining direct effects of the COVID-19 pandemic on academic performance. This study examined effects of COVID-19 pandemic on dental students' academic performance, self-reported attitudes, behavior, and service utilization. We hypothesized that the pandemic provided more beneficial learning environments. METHODS: This mixed study design implemented a cross sectional survey with retrospective extraction of students' academic grades. A survey of 274 predoctoral students assessed self-reported attitudes/behaviors and service utilization. First year Doctor of Dental Medicine (DMD1) 2021-2024 students' academic performance data were extracted. Independent t-test and chi-square crosstab analyses were conducted assessing differences between pre-COVID and post-COVID cohorts. RESULTS: Participants' academic grades identified statistically significant associations between pre-/post-COVID grades in five of 12 DMD1 courses. Grade percentages identified increased average grades in four of 12 DMD1 courses, with one of 12 courses demonstrating decreased grade percentage. Half of survey participants were female (n = 37/72, 51.4%), 79.2% were 25-34 years old, and 44.4% (n = 32) were DMD 2024. About 1/5 (20.8%, n = 15) sought counseling/therapy. Students agreed staying home allowed more time to study (66.7%, n = 48), while 59.2% (n = 42) reported increased financial concerns. A majority reported lacking in-person group studying decreased performance, and 55.6% (n = 40) reported feeling depressed. CONCLUSION: Students performed better overall in courses delivered remotely with clinical application and team-based engagement. Students performed equally overall; however, the majority had concerns regarding finances, group studying, and mental health challenges. This highlights the need for more readily available resources at institutions.

Percepção do acadêmico frente ao atendimento odontológico de pacientes com necessidades especiais / Students' perception ofdental care forpatients with special needs

Pessoas com necessidades especiais são definidas como indivíduos que apresentam alguma condição que implica em hábitos e modos de vida diferenciados. Atualmente esse público compõe parte significante da sociedade, tornando imprescindível a criação de programas que facilitem o atendimento e tornem os profissionais capacitados para a resolução das condições diagnosticadas nesses pacientes. Desta forma, o presente trabalho teve como objetivo avaliar a percepção dos acadêmicos de Odontologia frente ao atendimento dos pacientes com necessidades especiais dentro do Projeto de Extensão "Um Sorriso Especial". Este estudo apresentou um delineamento qualitativo, e foi realizado por meio de entrevistas semiestruturadas comos 18 discentes de Odontologia doCentro Universitário Luterano de Palmas, noinício e ao final da participação noprojeto. Todos os dados foram coletados durante 2017/2 e 2018/1, sendo transcritos e analisados para apresentação dos resultados.As questões abordavam a respeito do conhecimento em relação a pessoas com deficiência, a motivação para participar do projeto e os sentimentos norteadores dos atendimentos. Os resultados mostraram,em sua maioria,mudanças positivas nos discentes, pois modificaram suas opiniões acerca do conceito de uma pessoa com deficiência, seus sentimentos antecedentes aos atendimentos, acrescendo sentimentos de gratidão e realização,além da maior percepçãosobre a importância do projeto na formação acadêmica. Portanto, conclui-se que a experiência no atendimento às pessoas com necessidades especiais dentro da graduação contribui para a formação de um profissional mais completo nos aspectos técnicos e humanos (AU).

People with disabilities are those who have a condition that requiresa differentiated approach by social entities. At presentthis public makes up a significant part of society, therefore,it essential to create programs that facilitatecare and trainprofessionals capable of treatingconditions diagnosed in patients withoutinterference. Basedon thispremise, the aim of the present study wasto evaluate the perception of Dentistry studentswith regard to providing care forpatients with special needs within the extension project "A Smile". This study hada qualitative design andwasconductedby means of semi-structured interviews held with18 students who participated in the project atthe dentistry clinic of an education institution inthe North ofBrazil. All data were collected duringthe periods of2017/2 and 2018/1.Statements weretranscribed and analyzed to enablepresentation of the results. The questions coveredknowledge aboutpeople with disabilities, thestudents'motivation to participate in the project and the feelingsthat guidedthe attendanceprovided. The qualitative results showed mostly positive changes inthe students' perceptionsbecausethey altered their views on the concept of a disabled person, their feelings prior to attendance, adding feelings of gratitude and Realization beyond the change inthe importance of the project in the academic formation. Therefore, it wasconcluded that the experience ofattending topeople with special needs within the undergraduateperiodcontributedto the formation of more complete professionals fromboth technical and humanepoints of view (AU).

Smartphone addiction in COVID-19 pandemic times: a longitudinal study with Brazilian dental students / Vício em smartphoneem tempos de pandemia por COVID-19: estudo longitudinal com estudantes de Odontologia

This study aimed to evaluate smartphone addiction, sleep quality, quality of life and depression among dental students before and during the first wave COVID-19 pandemic lockdown and explore how smartphone addiction influences the other variables. 57 dental students answered the smartphone addiction inventory, Pittsburg sleep quality index, WHOQOL-bref and research diagnosis criteria for temporomandibular disorders axis II questionnaires before and during lockdown. Statistical analysis was conducted using Wilcoxon test, Mann-Whitney U test, Spearman tests and linear regression models considering the smartphone addiction inventory total score as the independent variable. The high mean scores on smartphone addiction on both times are remarkable. The smartphoneaddictionprevalence was also high on both times (68.66% and 71.92% respectively). Overall sleep quality improved. However, there was no significant change on overall smartphone addiction, quality of life and depression grade during lockdown. Tolerance using smartphones increased during lockdown, especially for women. Smartphone addiction showed negative correlation to quality of life and positive correlation to depression, subjective sleep quality and sleep medication use. Smartphone addiction was apredictor to total WHOQOL-bref score, all WHOQOL-bref domains, sleep medication use and to depression on both times, before and during lockdown. Smartphone addiction was directly affecting quality of life. Despite the growing smartphone use among university students due to the pandemic restrictions, this study showed that the overall smartphone addiction, quality of life and depression grade were not influenced by the lockdown restrictions. However, it was observed an improvement on sleep quality during this period among dental students (AU).

O objetivo deste estudo foi avaliar o vício emsmartphones, qualidade de vida, qualidade de sono e depressão em estudantes de odontologia antes e durante a quarentena daprimeira onda da pandemia por COVID-19. 57 estudantes de odontologia responderam nos dois tempos os questionários validados:smartphone addiction inventory, índice de qualidade de sono de Pittsburg, WHOQOL-bref e critérios para diagnóstico em pesquisa dasdisfunções temporomandibulares eixo II. Foram realizados os testes estatísticos: Wilcoxon, Mann-Whitney U, Spearman e regressões lineares considerando o total do smartphone addiction inventorycomo variável independente. A prevalência de vício em smartphonesfoi elevada nos dois tempos (68.66% e 71.92% respectivamente). Durante a quarentena a qualidade de sono melhorou e não houve diferença estatisticamente significativa no vício em smartphones, qualidade de vida nem depressão. A tolerância no uso dossmartphonesaumentou, especialmente entre as mulheres. O vício em smartphonesapresentou correlação negativa com qualidade de vida e positiva com a depressão, qualidade subjetiva do sono e necessidade de medicação hipnótica. O vício em smartphonesfoi preditor para todos os domínios do WHOQOL-bref e seu escore total, para o uso de medicação e depressão em ambos os tempos. O vício em smartphonesfoi muito elevado nos dois tempos afetando a qualidade de vida dos estudantes. Apesar do aumento do uso desmartphonesem virtude das restrições impostas pela pandemia, esse estudo mostrou que o vício em smartphones, qualidade de vida e depressão não foram influenciados pela quarentena. Entretanto, foi observada melhora na qualidade de sono durante esse período (AU).

Depression, anxiety and stress among dental students during COVID-19 pandemic and distance learning / Depressão, ansiedade e estresse entre estudantes de Odontologia durante a pandemia da COVID-19 e o ensino remoto

This study aimed to measure the levels of depression, anxiety and stress among dental students during the COVID-19 pandemic and distance learning.This cross-sectional questionnaire-based survey was conducted at a Brazilian school of Dentistry, between July and August, 2020. The participants were surveyed using the adapted and validated version of Depression, Anxiety, and Stress Scale (DASS-21) questionnaire. The Fisher's exact test and bivariate logistic regression analysis were performed to analyze the data, using SPSS software. A total of 120 dental students (response rate of 87.60%) participated in the study; 75.8% of them were female and the mean age was 23.35 years old (± 6.07). Most students were single (85%), studied full time (68.3%) and had no employment (70.8%). Some level of depression, anxiety and stress was observed in 64.2%, 67.5% and 61.7% of the students, respectively. The severity of the depression, the anxiety and the stress was significantly associated (p < 0.05) with the student's gender, fear of contracting COVID-19 and with thecondition of having a family member who has already had COVID-19. Female students, students who were fear of contracting COVID-19 and who had a familiar or a friend diagnosed with COVID-19 presented more chances of developing a high level of depression, anxiety or stress.We concluded thatdental students had high levels of depression, anxiety and stress during the COVID-19 pandemic and distance learning. This study suggests that the mental health of dental students should be carefully monitored during theCOVID-19 pandemic (AU).

Este estudo teve como objetivo mensurar os níveis de depressão, ansiedade e estresse entre estudantes de Odontologia durante a pandemia da COVID-19 e o ensino à distância. Esta pesquisa transversal, realizada por meio de um questionário on-line, foi realizada em uma Faculdade de Odontologia do Brasil, entre julho e agosto de 2020. Os participantes foram avaliados por meio da versão adaptada e validada do questionário Escala de Depressão, Ansiedade e Estresse (DASS-21). Para análise dos dados foram realizados o Teste Exato de Fisher e a Análise de Regressão Logística Bivariada, por meio do software SPSS. Participaram do estudo 120 estudantes de odontologia (taxa de resposta de 87.60%). Destes, 75.8% deles eram do sexo feminino e a média de idade foi de 23,35 anos (± 6,07). A maioria dos alunos era solteira (85,0%), estudava em tempo integral (68,3%) e não tinha vínculo empregatício (70,8%). Algum nível de depressão, ansiedade e estresse foi observado em 64,2%, 67,5% e 61,7% dos alunos, respectivamente. As gravidades da depressão, da ansiedade e do estresse estiveram significativamente associadas (p <0.05) ao sexo do aluno, ao medo de contrair a COVID-19 e à condição de ter um membro da família que já teve a COVID-19. Estudantes do sexo feminino, estudantes com medo de contrair a COVID-19 e que tiveram um familiar ou amigo com diagnóstico de COVID-19 apresentaram maiores chances de desenvolver um alto nível de depressão, ansiedade ou estresse. Concluímos que os estudantes de odontologia apresentaram altos níveis de depressão, ansiedade e estresse durante a pandemia da COVID-19 e o ensino à distância. Este estudo sugere que a saúde mental dos estudantes de odontologia deve ser monitorada cuidadosamente durante a pandemia da COVID-19 (AU).