Türkiye’de Diş Hekimliği Öğrencileri Arasında COVID-19 Farkındalığı ve Eğitimsel Zorluklar
Year 2025,
Volume: 4 Issue: 4, 77 - 83, 22.12.2025
Ismayıl Ibrahımov
,
Mustafa Ercüment Önder
,
Umut Tekin
Abstract
Amaç: Bu çalışma, Türkiye’deki diş hekimliği öğrencilerinin COVID-19’a yönelik algı, bilgi ve farkındalık düzeylerini; enfeksiyon kontrol uygulamaları ve uzaktan eğitimin klinik yeterlilik üzerindeki etkisi bağlamında değerlendirmeyi amaçlamaktadır.
Yöntem: Kesitsel tasarıma sahip bu çevrim içi anket çalışması, Türk Dişhekimleri Birliği aracılığıyla Türkiye genelinde 4. ve 5. sınıf diş hekimliği öğrencilerine uygulanmıştır. Toplam 510 öğrenci katılım göstermiştir. Anket formu, demografik bilgiler, COVID-19 semptomları, bulaşma yolları, enfeksiyon kontrol önlemleri ve uzaktan eğitim deneyimlerini değerlendiren 37 sorudan oluşmuştur.
Bulgular: Öğrenciler COVID-19’un bulaşma yolları ve koruyucu önlemleri konusunda yüksek farkındalık sergilemiştir. Ancak inkübasyon süresi, yüzey dezenfeksiyonu protokolleri ve maruziyet sonrası prosedürler gibi konularda önemli bilgi eksiklikleri gözlenmiştir. Öğrencilerin çoğu, pandeminin yarattığı belirsizlik nedeniyle kaygı düzeylerinin arttığını belirtmiş ve yarısından fazlası uzaktan eğitimin klinik beceri kazandırmada yetersiz olduğunu ifade etmiştir.
Sonuç: Diş hekimliği öğrencilerinin COVID-19’a dair teorik bilgi düzeyleri yeterli olsa da pratik hazırlık ve kriz yönetimi konularındaki eksiklikler, uygulamalı eğitimlerin ve pandemi yanıtı odaklı içeriklerin müfredata entegre edilmesinin önemini ortaya koymaktadır.
References
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7. Hattar S, AlHadidi A, Sawair FA, Alraheam IA. Impact of COVID-19 pandemic on dental education: online experience and practice expectations among dental students at the University of Jordan. BMC Med Educ 2021;21(1):151. https://doi.org/10.1186/s12909-021-02584-0.
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8. Loch C, Kuan IB, Elsalem L, Schwass D, Brunton PA, Jum’ah A, et al. COVID-19 and dental clinical practice: students and clinicalstaff perceptions of health risks and educational impact. J Dent Educ 2021;85(1):44–52. https://doi.org/10.1002/jdd.12402.
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9. Nair A, Singla N, Singla R, De A. Risk perception and preparedness of undergraduate dental students to treat patients in view of COVID-19 pandemic: a questionnaire survey. Sci World J 2022;2022:4489773. https://doi.org/10.1155/2022/4489773.
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10. Cao W, Fang Z, Hou G, Han M, Xu X, Dong J, et al. The psychological impact of the COVID-19 epidemic on college students in China. Psychiatry Res 2020;287:112934. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.psychres.2020.112934.
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11. Yeşil Duymuş Z, Kaya N. Evaluation of fear and anxiety levels of dentistry faculty undergraduate students during the COVID-19 pandemic process. Yeditepe Dent J 2024;17–22. https://doi. org/10.5505/yeditepe.2024.23590.
-
12. Taghrir MH, Borazjani R, Shiraly R. COVID-19 and Iranian medical students: a survey on their related-knowledge, preventive behaviors and risk perception. Arch Iran Med 2020;23(4):249–54. https://doi.org/10.34172/aim.2020.06.
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13. T.C. Sağlık Bakanlığı. COVID-19 Sağlık Kurumlarında Çalışma Rehberi ve Enfeksiyon Kontrol Önlemleri. [Internet]. Ankara: T.C. Sağlık Bakanlığı; 2020.
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14. To KK, Tsang OT, Yip CC, Chan KH, Wu TC, Chan JM, et al. Consistent detection of 2019 novel coronavirus in saliva. Clin Infect Dis 2020;71(15):841–3. https://doi.org/10.1093/cid/ciaa149.
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15. Ling ML, Ching P, Cheng V, Ben-Othman M, Lee CE, Oon L, et al. APSIC dental infection prevention and control (IPC) guidelines. Antimicrob Resist Infect Control 2023;12(1):53. https://doi.org/10.1186/s13756-023-01242-y.
16. Amato A, Caggiano M, Amato M, Moccia G, Capunzo M, De Caro F. Infection control in dental practice during the COVID-19 pandemic. Int J Environ Res Public Health 2020;17(13):4769. https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph17134769.
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17. World Health Organization. WHO guidelines on hand hygiene in health care: first global patient safety challenge clean care is safer care. [Internet]. Geneva: WHO; 2009. Available from:
https:// www.who.int/publications/i/item/9789241597906.
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18. Yali R, Ay P, Çakır B, Işık A. The views of medical faculty students in Turkey concerning the COVID-19 pandemic. J Community Health 2020;45(4):684–92. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10900-020-00845-9.
-
19. Ibrahimov I, Önder ME, Basmacı F, Keleş A, Çizmeci Şenel F, Tekin U. Türkiye’deki diş hekimlerinin COVID-19 farkındalığının değerlendirilmesi: bir kesitsel çalışma. Selcuk Dent J 2024;11(3):237–41. ttps://doi.org/10.15311/selcukdentj.1395341.
-
20. Arnous A, Sharaan M. Knowledge and awareness of dental undergraduate students concerning the manifestation of COVID-19 and its appropriate infection control measures: a systematic literature review. SciBase Dent Oral Sci 2023;1(1):1005.
-
21. Quinn B, Field J, Gorter R, Akota I, Manzanares MC, D’Aiuto F, et al. COVID-19: the immediate response of European academic dental institutions and future implications for dental education.
Eur J Dent Educ 2020;24(4):811–4. https://doi.org/10.1111/eje.12542.
-
22. Hakami Z, Khanagar SB, Vishwanathaiah S, Hakami A, Mortada H, Alhaddad M, et al. Knowledge, awareness and attitude of dental students towards COVID-19 and their preparedness for clinical training resumption after lockdown. Eur J Dent Educ 2021;25(3):640–50. https://doi.org/10.1111/eje.12661.
-
23. Raja HZ, Hanif A, El-Haddad S, Jaber A. Perceived stress levels in Pakistani dental students during COVID-19 lockdown. EJDENT J 2020;1(4):14. https://doi.org/10.24018/ejdent.2020.1.4.14.
COVID-19 Awareness and Educational Challenges Among Dental Students in Turkey
Year 2025,
Volume: 4 Issue: 4, 77 - 83, 22.12.2025
Ismayıl Ibrahımov
,
Mustafa Ercüment Önder
,
Umut Tekin
Abstract
Objective: This study aims to evaluate the perceptions, knowledge, and awareness levels of dental students in Turkey regarding COVID-19, with a focus on infection control practices and the impact of distance learning on clinical competency.
Methods: This cross-sectional online survey was conducted among 4th- and 5th-year dental students across Turkey through the Turkish Dental Association. A total of 510 students participated. The questionnaire consisted of 37 items assessing demographic characteristics, knowledge of COVID-19 symptoms and transmission routes, infection control measures, and experiences with distance education.
Results: Students demonstrated high awareness of COVID-19 transmission routes and preventive measures. However, significant knowledge gaps were observed regarding the incubation period, surface disinfection protocols, and post-exposure procedures. Most students reported increased anxiety due to the uncertainty caused by the pandemic, and over half stated that distance education was inadequate for acquiring clinical skills.
Conclusion: Although dental students possessed sufficient theoretical knowledge about COVID-19, deficiencies in practical preparedness and crisis management highlight the need to integrate hands-on training and pandemic-focused content into the dental curriculum.
Ethical Statement
This study was approved by the Non-Interventional Research Ethics Committee of Kırıkkale University (dated 24.06.2020, Decision No: 2020.06.13)
Supporting Institution
Kırıkkale University
References
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1. World Health Organization. WHO Director-General’s remarks at the media briefing on 2019-nCoV on 11 February 2020. [Internet]. Geneva: WHO; 2020. Available from: https://www.who.int/directorgeneral/
speeches/detail/who-director-general-s-remarks- atthe-media-briefing-on-2019-ncov-on-11-february-2020.
-
2. Türkiye Cumhuriyeti Sağlık Bakanlığı. Dişhekimliğinde acil uygulamalar: COVID-19 Bilimsel Danışma Kurulu, 1 Nisan 2020 güncellemesi. [Internet]. Ankara: T.C. Sağlık Bakanlığı; 2020.
-
3. Harrel SK, Molinari J. Aerosols and splatter in dentistry: a brief review of the literature and infection control implications. J Am Dent Assoc 2004;135(4):429–37. https://doi.org/10.14219/jada. archive.2004.0207.
-
4. Zemouri C, de Soet H, Crielaard W, Laheij A. A scoping review on bio-aerosols in healthcare and the dental environment. PLoS One 2020;15(5):e0233301. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0233301.
-
5. Yükseköğretim Kurulu. YÖK Başkanı M. A. Yekta Saraç’tan basın açıklaması: Baharı uzaktan/dijital öğretimle sürdüreceğiz. [Internet]. Ankara: Yükseköğretim Kurulu; 2020. Available from: https://samsun.edu.tr/yok-askani-sayin-prof-dr-m-a-yektasaractan-basin-aciklamasi-26-03-2020/.
-
6. Chang TY, Hong G, Paganelli C, Phantumvanit P. Innovation of dental education during COVID-19 pandemic. J
Dent Sci 2021;16(1):15–20. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jds.2020.07.011.
-
7. Hattar S, AlHadidi A, Sawair FA, Alraheam IA. Impact of COVID-19 pandemic on dental education: online experience and practice expectations among dental students at the University of Jordan. BMC Med Educ 2021;21(1):151. https://doi.org/10.1186/s12909-021-02584-0.
-
8. Loch C, Kuan IB, Elsalem L, Schwass D, Brunton PA, Jum’ah A, et al. COVID-19 and dental clinical practice: students and clinicalstaff perceptions of health risks and educational impact. J Dent Educ 2021;85(1):44–52. https://doi.org/10.1002/jdd.12402.
-
9. Nair A, Singla N, Singla R, De A. Risk perception and preparedness of undergraduate dental students to treat patients in view of COVID-19 pandemic: a questionnaire survey. Sci World J 2022;2022:4489773. https://doi.org/10.1155/2022/4489773.
-
10. Cao W, Fang Z, Hou G, Han M, Xu X, Dong J, et al. The psychological impact of the COVID-19 epidemic on college students in China. Psychiatry Res 2020;287:112934. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.psychres.2020.112934.
-
11. Yeşil Duymuş Z, Kaya N. Evaluation of fear and anxiety levels of dentistry faculty undergraduate students during the COVID-19 pandemic process. Yeditepe Dent J 2024;17–22. https://doi. org/10.5505/yeditepe.2024.23590.
-
12. Taghrir MH, Borazjani R, Shiraly R. COVID-19 and Iranian medical students: a survey on their related-knowledge, preventive behaviors and risk perception. Arch Iran Med 2020;23(4):249–54. https://doi.org/10.34172/aim.2020.06.
-
13. T.C. Sağlık Bakanlığı. COVID-19 Sağlık Kurumlarında Çalışma Rehberi ve Enfeksiyon Kontrol Önlemleri. [Internet]. Ankara: T.C. Sağlık Bakanlığı; 2020.
-
14. To KK, Tsang OT, Yip CC, Chan KH, Wu TC, Chan JM, et al. Consistent detection of 2019 novel coronavirus in saliva. Clin Infect Dis 2020;71(15):841–3. https://doi.org/10.1093/cid/ciaa149.
-
15. Ling ML, Ching P, Cheng V, Ben-Othman M, Lee CE, Oon L, et al. APSIC dental infection prevention and control (IPC) guidelines. Antimicrob Resist Infect Control 2023;12(1):53. https://doi.org/10.1186/s13756-023-01242-y.
16. Amato A, Caggiano M, Amato M, Moccia G, Capunzo M, De Caro F. Infection control in dental practice during the COVID-19 pandemic. Int J Environ Res Public Health 2020;17(13):4769. https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph17134769.
-
17. World Health Organization. WHO guidelines on hand hygiene in health care: first global patient safety challenge clean care is safer care. [Internet]. Geneva: WHO; 2009. Available from:
https:// www.who.int/publications/i/item/9789241597906.
-
18. Yali R, Ay P, Çakır B, Işık A. The views of medical faculty students in Turkey concerning the COVID-19 pandemic. J Community Health 2020;45(4):684–92. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10900-020-00845-9.
-
19. Ibrahimov I, Önder ME, Basmacı F, Keleş A, Çizmeci Şenel F, Tekin U. Türkiye’deki diş hekimlerinin COVID-19 farkındalığının değerlendirilmesi: bir kesitsel çalışma. Selcuk Dent J 2024;11(3):237–41. ttps://doi.org/10.15311/selcukdentj.1395341.
-
20. Arnous A, Sharaan M. Knowledge and awareness of dental undergraduate students concerning the manifestation of COVID-19 and its appropriate infection control measures: a systematic literature review. SciBase Dent Oral Sci 2023;1(1):1005.
-
21. Quinn B, Field J, Gorter R, Akota I, Manzanares MC, D’Aiuto F, et al. COVID-19: the immediate response of European academic dental institutions and future implications for dental education.
Eur J Dent Educ 2020;24(4):811–4. https://doi.org/10.1111/eje.12542.
-
22. Hakami Z, Khanagar SB, Vishwanathaiah S, Hakami A, Mortada H, Alhaddad M, et al. Knowledge, awareness and attitude of dental students towards COVID-19 and their preparedness for clinical training resumption after lockdown. Eur J Dent Educ 2021;25(3):640–50. https://doi.org/10.1111/eje.12661.
-
23. Raja HZ, Hanif A, El-Haddad S, Jaber A. Perceived stress levels in Pakistani dental students during COVID-19 lockdown. EJDENT J 2020;1(4):14. https://doi.org/10.24018/ejdent.2020.1.4.14.