IMPACT OF COVID-19 LOCKDOWN ON ROTATIONAL POSTINGS OF DENTAL HOUSE SURGEONS IN TELANGANA STATE - A CROSS-SECTIONAL STUDY

Original Research

Abstract

BACKGROUND: The lockdown resulted in the cancellation of dental house surgeons’ clinical rotations and posed a unique challenge to education. The aim of this study was to explore the impact of the Covid-19 lockdown on rotational postings of dental house surgeons.

METHODS: A validated questionnaire with five domains was prepared using Google forms was shared as online link among the dental house surgeons of seven dental colleges of Telangana who were posted during first phase of Covid-19 pandemic. Descriptive statistical
analysis, Chi-square test, and Kruskal Wallis test were done to draw the frequencies and to know the impact due to lockdown.

RESULTS: A total of 384 participants responded to the questionnaire of which 70.8% were females. Nearly 56.7% of the dental house surgeons felt that the Covid-19 lockdown had negatively impacted their clinical training and academics. At least 58.5% of the respondents felt that online classes and webinars were useful during the lockdown period.

CONCLUSION: The Covid-19 outbreak compromised the clinical training affecting hands-on experience and causing a significant disruption of dental house surgeons training and curriculum.