Resuming clinical teaching in the era of COVID-19: Experiences and protocols from a dental school in Malaysia

The rapid spread of the global pandemic COVID-19 had challenged the Malaysian Healthcare and Education Systems. Teaching and learning at dental schools across the country were drastically changed to online approach as the nation enforced Movement Control Order (MCO). However, translation of psychomotor skills still require hands-on approach to produce competent dentists upon graduation, but most dental schools were not prepared for the prevention of COVID-19 transmission that require more strict cross infection protocol. The aim of this paper was to describe the response by a dental school in Malaysia to COVID-19 in modifying the clinical teaching and learning, infrastructure, facilities, and clinical services, and enhancing the infection control protocol through risk assessment of COVID-19 transmission and prevention strategies. The paper also discusses the limitations of our approach, challenges in providing clinical services and supervision as well as implications of changes to our practice. In conclusion, COVID-19 has modified the delivery and implementation of clinical teaching and learning in Malaysia. However, within the limited fund and resources, dental teaching institutions need to adapt to the new normal clinical environment in order to ensure that dentals students graduate on time with sufficient clinical training. © 2021 Penerbit Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia. All rights reserved.

Malaysian dentists' self-reported experience towards continuing clinical activity during the COVID-19 pandemic

This study assessed the self-reported symptoms/signs and precautionary measures towards continuing clinical practice during the second wave of the COVID-19 pandemic among Malaysian dentists. An online questionnaire was administered using Google Form distributed via social networks, email lists and social media pages to Malaysian dentists in both private and government sectors. Respondents were required to report their clinical activity during the three phases of the various Movement Control Order (MCO) imposed by the Malaysian government: namely the MCO, Conditional-MCO and the Recovery-MCO. Data was analysed with SPSS using descriptive and Chi-square tests. A total of 1548 dentists completed the survey. Five dentists reported being tested positive for COVID-19 test while 48 had one/more symptoms related to the disease. The majority perceived a real risk of COVID-19 transmission to dentists and more than 80% limited their clinical services to emergency/selective care during the MCO and C-MCO. About 17% of the dentists suspended face-to-face clinical activities during the MCO period but this figure dropped to 3.4% during the R-MCO. Clinical activities were limited mainly due to closure of workplaces (88.6%). Precautionary measures adopted at dental clinics included recording body temperature (54.2%), physical distancing in waiting rooms (84.6%) and hand washing prior to and after dental procedures (77.5%). The findings demonstrate that most dentists limited their clinical services during the MCO and resumed work once restrictions were lifted during the C-MCO and R-MCO. Many reported adopting appropriate precautionary measures to mitigate the spread of COVID-19. © 2021 Penerbit Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia. All rights reserved.