Perceived Impact of COVID 19 on Dental Therapy and Hygiene students’ wellbeing.

Aim
The aim of this research was to investigate any impact from the COVID 19 pandemic on the well-being of dental therapy students.
Methods
Dental therapy students were invited to participate in focus groups to explore any impact of COVID 19 on their wellbeing. One pilot and two online focus groups were conducted.
Results
Three themes were identified from the focus groups including stress in relation to clinical experience and assessment, pandemic behaviours and perceptions of the University.
Conclusion
The overall conclusion of the research is that COVID 19 did have an impact on the dental therapy students’ mental wellbeing. The stress from worry over missing clinic caused anxiety within both cohorts of students, which was compounded in the final year students by the requirement to meet minimum clinical requirements set and complete exit cases.