Türkiye’de Diş Hekimliği Öğrencileri Arasında COVID-19 Farkındalığı ve Eğitimsel Zorluklar

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.

Keywords

• COVID-19
• diş hekimliği öğrencileri
• enfeksiyon kontrolü
• uzaktan eğitim
• farkındalık
• psikolojik etki

COVID-19 Awareness and Educational Challenges Among Dental Students in Turkey

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.

Keywords

• COVID-19
• dental students
• infection control
• distance learning
• awareness
• psychological impact

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