Digital Divide Affects Oral and Dental Health Students’ Preferences during COVID-19 Outbreak: A Comparison of Distance and Face-to-face Education

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Objective The digital divide is the gap between those who can access and use digital media and those who do not have easy access to it. Distance education started in dentistry education and all activities and applications conducted online during COVID-19 outbreak. However, the possible effects of the digital divide on learning processes were ignored in this process. This study aims to investigate how the digital divide effects disadvantaged dental health students’ preferences during COVID-19. Method We used a mixed method to investigate the results of the Likert-type items and open-ended questions. The study group who requires clinical training and has difficulties reaching the Internet and personal devices was selected as Oral and Dental Health students to investigate their preferences and opinions towards distance education and face-to-face education. Results The results showed the students, who require clinical skills in their education and are disadvantaged in terms of Internet and computer access, cannot embrace distance education. They are worried about finding a job after graduation due to the limited application of clinical skills. The most important positive aspect of distance education that its contribution to a feeling of safety and contributions to students’ economic situation. The most negative aspects of distance education are its difficulties for disadvantaged students and its limitations for clinical applications. Students suggested that interactions in synchronous lectures and the use of visual demonstrations should be increased. Conclusion In possible future pandemic and lockdown situations, educational institutions need to identify the digital divide between their students. Distance education requires good planning, training of instructors, and distribution of pre-class activities or offline materials for the students who have difficulties reaching Internet and computer access.