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Impact of the COVID-19 Pandemic on Dental Education in Pakistan: Challenges, Adaptations, and Future Directions

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Title: Impact of the COVID-19 Pandemic on Dental Education in Pakistan: Challenges, Adaptations, and Future Directions
Language: English
Authors: Saima Siddiqui, Joham Gul, Syed Jaffar Abbas Zaidi, Rafey Ahmad Jameel, Nida Gul, Qaiser Masud Sheikh, Wajahat Ghafoor Chaudary, Abdur Rehman
Source: Discover Education. 2025 4.
Availability: Springer. Available from: Springer Nature. One New York Plaza, Suite 4600, New York, NY 10004. Tel: 800-777-4643; Tel: 212-460-1500; Fax: 212-460-1700; e-mail: customerservice@springernature.com; Web site: https://link.springer.com/
Peer Reviewed: Y
Page Count: 17
Publication Date: 2025
Document Type: Journal Articles
Reports - Research
Education Level: Higher Education
Postsecondary Education
Descriptors: Foreign Countries, COVID-19, Pandemics, Online Courses, School Closing, Access to Internet, Access to Computers, Technological Literacy, Barriers, Dental Schools, Medical Education, Student Experience, Study Habits, Mental Health, Student Attitudes, Clinical Experience
Geographic Terms: Pakistan
DOI: 10.1007/s44217-025-00788-w
ISSN: 2731-5525
Abstract: Background: The COVID-19 pandemic prompted a sudden shift to online learning globally, exposing significant challenges, particularly in countries like Pakistan. Dental education faced unique obstacles due to inadequate internet connectivity, limited access to technology, and unfamiliarity with digital resources. Objective: This study aimed to evaluate the pandemic's impact on dental education in Pakistan, focusing on dental students' and educators' experiences during the shift to online learning. Methods: This qualitative study employed an interpretative phenomenological approach to understand the lived experiences of dental students and educators in Pakistan during and immediately after the pandemic from February 2020 to October 2022. Semi-structured online interviews were conducted with 25 dental students and 25 educators from public and private dental colleges. Thematic analysis was used to identify the key themes. Sentiment analysis provided additional insights into participants' emotional responses. Results: Four main themes emerged for both students and educators. For students, the themes included impacts on study habits, technological adaptation, clinical education challenges, and psychological concerns. Educators highlighted changes in teaching practices, institutional support, clinical education disruptions, and student engagement issues. Both groups expressed concerns about the long-term implications for professional competence and ethical responsibilities of graduating inadequately trained practitioners. Sentiment analysis revealed mixed emotional responses, reflecting frustration, resilience, and optimism. Conclusions: The abrupt transition to online learning highlighted the need for infrastructural improvements, teacher training, and curriculum adaptations to ensure effective dental education. Policymakers must prioritize strategies to integrate technology into dental education, address disparities and maintain clinical competence to prepare future practitioners.
Abstractor: As Provided
Entry Date: 2025
Accession Number: EJ1482220
Database: ERIC
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  Data: Impact of the COVID-19 Pandemic on Dental Education in Pakistan: Challenges, Adaptations, and Future Directions
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  Data: <searchLink fieldCode="AR" term="%22Saima+Siddiqui%22">Saima Siddiqui</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="AR" term="%22Joham+Gul%22">Joham Gul</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="AR" term="%22Syed+Jaffar+Abbas+Zaidi%22">Syed Jaffar Abbas Zaidi</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="AR" term="%22Rafey+Ahmad+Jameel%22">Rafey Ahmad Jameel</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="AR" term="%22Nida+Gul%22">Nida Gul</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="AR" term="%22Qaiser+Masud+Sheikh%22">Qaiser Masud Sheikh</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="AR" term="%22Wajahat+Ghafoor+Chaudary%22">Wajahat Ghafoor Chaudary</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="AR" term="%22Abdur+Rehman%22">Abdur Rehman</searchLink>
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  Data: <searchLink fieldCode="SO" term="%22Discover+Education%22"><i>Discover Education</i></searchLink>. 2025 4.
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  Data: Springer. Available from: Springer Nature. One New York Plaza, Suite 4600, New York, NY 10004. Tel: 800-777-4643; Tel: 212-460-1500; Fax: 212-460-1700; e-mail: customerservice@springernature.com; Web site: https://link.springer.com/
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  Data: <searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Foreign+Countries%22">Foreign Countries</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22COVID-19%22">COVID-19</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Pandemics%22">Pandemics</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Online+Courses%22">Online Courses</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22School+Closing%22">School Closing</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Access+to+Internet%22">Access to Internet</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Access+to+Computers%22">Access to Computers</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Technological+Literacy%22">Technological Literacy</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Barriers%22">Barriers</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Dental+Schools%22">Dental Schools</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Medical+Education%22">Medical Education</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Student+Experience%22">Student Experience</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Study+Habits%22">Study Habits</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Mental+Health%22">Mental Health</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Student+Attitudes%22">Student Attitudes</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Clinical+Experience%22">Clinical Experience</searchLink>
– Name: Subject
  Label: Geographic Terms
  Group: Su
  Data: <searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Pakistan%22">Pakistan</searchLink>
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  Data: 10.1007/s44217-025-00788-w
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  Data: 2731-5525
– Name: Abstract
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  Data: Background: The COVID-19 pandemic prompted a sudden shift to online learning globally, exposing significant challenges, particularly in countries like Pakistan. Dental education faced unique obstacles due to inadequate internet connectivity, limited access to technology, and unfamiliarity with digital resources. Objective: This study aimed to evaluate the pandemic's impact on dental education in Pakistan, focusing on dental students' and educators' experiences during the shift to online learning. Methods: This qualitative study employed an interpretative phenomenological approach to understand the lived experiences of dental students and educators in Pakistan during and immediately after the pandemic from February 2020 to October 2022. Semi-structured online interviews were conducted with 25 dental students and 25 educators from public and private dental colleges. Thematic analysis was used to identify the key themes. Sentiment analysis provided additional insights into participants' emotional responses. Results: Four main themes emerged for both students and educators. For students, the themes included impacts on study habits, technological adaptation, clinical education challenges, and psychological concerns. Educators highlighted changes in teaching practices, institutional support, clinical education disruptions, and student engagement issues. Both groups expressed concerns about the long-term implications for professional competence and ethical responsibilities of graduating inadequately trained practitioners. Sentiment analysis revealed mixed emotional responses, reflecting frustration, resilience, and optimism. Conclusions: The abrupt transition to online learning highlighted the need for infrastructural improvements, teacher training, and curriculum adaptations to ensure effective dental education. Policymakers must prioritize strategies to integrate technology into dental education, address disparities and maintain clinical competence to prepare future practitioners.
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