The aim of the study was to analyze students' opinions on the learning outcomes they achieved during clinical classes in pediatric dentistry. The classes were run in various periods: before the SARS-CoV-2 coronavirus pandemic (onsite classes), in the first months of the pandemic (online classes), and in the following months of the pandemic (onsite classes with additional infection control and administrative changes in patients' admission procedures).
Material and methods: The research was conducted among fifth-year dentistry students at Poznan University of Medical Sciences. Students who completed the entire course and passed the diploma exam in pediatric dentistry were asked to complete the anonymous questionnaire providing their opinion.
Results: The research results showed that, in the students' opinion, clinical classes-regardless of their form-allowed them to achieve the knowledge necessary to perform pediatric dental procedures. However, the students appreciated onsite classes significantly more compared to information and communication technologies (ICT) classes in gaining practical skills and social competence.
Conclusions: (1) The significant limitations introduced because of the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic impacted the development and implementation of modern online teaching techniques, which may very well be applied to convey theoretical knowledge after the pandemic has ended. (2) Skills and social competence, indispensable in the future dental practice of dental students, can only be obtained during onsite classes. (3) Medical universities should design standards of teaching to enable them to address a possible epidemiological threat in the future, which will enable rapid response and safe continuation of practical dental education during a pandemic.
Keywords: COVID-19; dental education; learning outcomes; pediatric dentistry.