A national survey of the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on training and wellbeing of restorative and mono-speciality specialist trainees in the UK and Ireland

Introduction COVID-19 emergency and associated measures across the UK and Ireland during the first and third waves of the pandemic disrupted mainstream dental services and training across all specialties.Aims Investigate the effect of COVID-19 pandemic on training, mental health and wellbeing of specialty trainees (STs) in restorative dentistry and associated mono-specialities across the United Kingdom and Ireland.Materials and methods A cross-sectional survey was conducted exploring experiences of STs in restorative dentistry, prosthodontics, endodontics and periodontics (n = 101) across the United Kingdom and Ireland during the first (March 2020) and third (July 2021) waves of the pandemic. Results were analysed quantitatively and qualitatively.Results In total, 28 postgraduate trainees responded, yielding a 28% response rate. STs reported perceived impact on their training in March 2020 and July 2021, with some redeployed to urgent dental care duties in this time period. STs reported reduction in speciality-level clinical activities and a negative impact on mental health and wellbeing in both March 2020 and July 2021. A total of 12 STs felt COVID-19 negatively impacted their future careers.Conclusion The COVID-19 pandemic negatively impacted clinical training and mental health of STs in restorative dentistry and associated mono-specialities across the United Kingdom and Ireland. Increased flexibility and accounting for lost clinical activities could have improved ST morale and wellbeing.