The Effect of Fear in COVID-19 Situation on Dental Hygiene Students' Clinical Practice

Objectives: This study aims to study the satisfaction of students' clinical practice during COVID-19 situation for dental hygiene students and to prepare educational plans to increase satisfaction. Methods: This study conducted an online survey of 135 dental hygiene students from Daegu, Gyeongnam, and Busan, from September to October, 2021. Results: There was a significant negative correlation between clinical practice stress and satisfaction with clinical practice, and between clinical practice stress and fear of COVID-19 (p<0.05, p<0.01). The factor affecting fear of COVID-19 was clinical practice stress (p=0.010). Conclusions: Considering the emotional and mental health of students during clinical practice, it is considered that there is a need for a plan and educational program to reduce clinical practice stress and increase satisfaction.