Reopening of a school of dentistry in the era of COVID-19 pandemic, Step-by-step approach

Introduction: The COVID-19 pandemic has a great impact on all aspects of higher education worldwide. In Iran, after several months of lockdown, all dental schools coped with the challenge of reopening. School of Dentistry of Tehran University of Medical Sciences (TUMS) planned to facilitate the process of reopening using a step-by-step approach. The aim of this study was sharing our experiences of reopening of the school during the pandemic. Methods: TUMS School of Dentistry planned a step-by-step approach of reopening of school to both provide infrastructure of online education for theoretical credits and reassure all staff and students about infection control for practical courses. Also, a two-section survey on students' satisfaction with a variety of aspects of reopening process and the clinical performance of students in different clinical courses was conducted. Results: Findings showed 65.1% of the students, attended the survey, were satisfied with reopening of the school. Also, 86.4% were satisfied with the new online method of education for theoretical courses. Regarding personal protective equipment (PPE) provided for the students, 22.9% and 56.5% of them were satisfied and moderately satisfied, respectively. Additionally, 78.2% of the students were satisfied with the newly developed online assessment method. Conclusion: Although reopening of schools during COVID-19 pandemic seems enigmatic for all authorities and students, the step-by-step plan designed by TUMS School of dentistry including emotional and infrastructural prerequisites might be a reliable method for all people, who are in charge of management of dental school in uncertain crisis.

Automated summary

During the COVID-19 pandemic, Tehran University of Medical Sciences School of Dentistry implemented a step-by-step reopening plan, which included online education infrastructure and infection control measures, resulting in a satisfactory level of reopening and student performance.