Impact of the COVID-19 Pandemic on Dental Education: Psychological and Clinical Challenges for Dental Students in Jordan

Objectives: This study aimed at assessing the psychological impact of COVID-19 pandemic on dental students in Jordan, examining their knowledge and perceptions of the pandemic, and evaluating its effects on their clinical training. Materials and Methods: In this cross-sectional study, an online survey was prepared and distributed to dental students and interns from two dental schools in Jordan. The survey was structured based on relevant literature into questions covering demographic information, knowledge of COVID-19, university’s informative support, and concerns and perceptions about dentistry during the pandemic. The psychological status of students was measured using the short-form version of the Depression, Anxiety, and Stress Scale (DASS). Results: Of the 332 dental students surveyed, 230 (69.3%) were females and 102 (30.7%) were males. Approximately two-thirds (67.5%) of students expressed interest in receiving more guidance on COVID-19, while more than a half (58%) of them were dissatisfied with the informative support offered by their schools during the pandemic. On a scale from 010, students reported a high potential influence of COVID-19 outbreak on dental practice in the short term (mean 8.9 ± 1.7), but a reduced impact in the long term (mean 6.9 ± 2.3). Based on DASS results, participants showed moderate levels of depression (mean 19.0 ± 12.2), anxiety (mean 10.4 ± 9.9), and stress (mean 19.6 ± 12.4), and these scores were significantly higher in females. Conclusions: The COVID-19 pandemic significantly impacted dental students' clinical training and psychological well-being. Universities need to provide accessible mentalhealth support and implement strategies that balance safety with effective clinical training to minimize stress during health crises.