Paradigm Shift in Dental Education due to COVID-19

Abstract

The COVID-19 pandemic has taken the world by surprise. New norms were being explored to curb the spread of the deathly virus. A typical pneumonia in Wuhan were unexpectedly burst into new deadly viral disease [1]. The virus has not only significantly affected the people health but also caused devastating effect on economy, social and education sector. In the initial period of the COVID-19, government around the world have introduce a total lockdown procedure for several months. People with or without COVID-19 symptom were advice to stay at home and restricted their movement. For those who have been contacted by the virus or suspected being infected were send for screening at health facilities. Individual with positive result from the test were being send to a quarantine facility. Physical distancing, hand sanitizing and compulsory face mask in public places were made mandatory in this period. This were done to reduce the infection curved and lower the number of affected people. Higher learning institution were also force to adherence in this new procedure. Face to face classes being cancel and online teaching were being introduce as substitute to normal classroom [2]. The COVID-19 pandemic has force higher learning institute to rethink and redesign their mode of education, research and governance into online methods. Fortunately, online learning is not a new concept, as early as 1980s people were discussing about distance learning using computers and their challengers Since then, many paraphrases have been used to describe distance learning such as tele-education, virtual classes, e-learning and online class. Previously, these methods were considered as a small part of formal education to increase the use of technology in education. it replace the formal face However, still in They the student the the to course