PERCEPÇÃO DE ESTUDANTES DE ODONTOLOGIA DE UMA UNIVERSIDADE DO ESTADO DA PARAÍBA SOBRE OS IMPACTOS DA PANDEMIA DE COVID-19

Abstract

Introduction: During SARS - COVID 19 pandemic, undergraduate courses in Dentistry adhered to remote method of classes, with the aim of reducing the number of contaminations and deaths. Objective: This study aimed to assess the perception of socioeconomic, educational and psychological impacts of pandemic, as well as perception of the importance of management aspects for coping with the pandemic. Material and method: This is a qualitative and quantitative research, carried out at a public university of Brazilian Northeast, based on a semi-structured questionnaire and with a sample of 144 students distributed in the 10 periods of the Dentistry course. Results: Most participants were in some situation of isolation or self-isolation during the pandemic. It was found that the experience of remote teaching was not favorable for students. Students consider that university partially participated in the development of biosafety protocols and instructions for resuming activities. Students reported the presence of: anxiety, stress, difficulty concentrating, insecurity and emotional exhaustion. Students considered management and leadership knowledge as fundamental to face challenges of the pandemic period. Conclusion: Finally, this research found that the interruption of classes due to Covid-19 generated a perception of negative socioeconomic, educational and psychological effects on dentistry students and that knowledge about management was considered fundamental in facing the challenges of pandemic.