Impact of the COVID-19 Pandemic on Self-Confidence in Patient Treatment in the Endodontic and Restorative Procedures of Dentistry Students at the University of Novi Sad

Abstract

(1) Background: The COVID-19 pandemic has brought about a change in the concept of teaching with the introduction of online lectures and “distance learning.” The aim of this study was to determine the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the confidence and both theoretical and practical knowledge of dental students regarding the courses in conservative dentistry and endodontics. (2) Methods: The study was conducted using an originally created online questionnaire consisting of 30 questions that the students used to make a subjective assessment of their confidence in performing both endodontic and conservative procedures using numerical scales. They were divided into two groups, a non-COVID group of students, who attended classes before the outbreak of the pandemic, and a COVID group, whose classes were suspended due to the lockdown. The data were processed in the SPSS statistic 25 program, with statistical significance p < 0.05. (3) Results: The comparison of the self-assessment of 96 students from the COVID group and 91 students from the non-COVID group revealed significant results. Compared with the COVID group, the non-COVID students felt more confident in the application of anesthesia in both the maxilla and mandible, in the initial treatment of patients in pain, as well as in all the steps of the endodontic treatment. Both groups felt equally confident in diagnostic and conservative procedures, and the level of theoretical knowledge acquired in the courses. (4) Conclusions: Changes in teaching due to the COVID-19 pandemic had an unfavorable effect on students’ self-confidence in performing routine dental interventions, especially in the endodontic field. The lack of confidence in the COVID group regarding the anesthetic and endodontic procedures appears due to their inability to do any of these procedures during the COVID period; we organized summer practical school under the supervision of teachers, and they gained the necessary knowledge and self-confidence for these procedures.