Asian Journal of Dental Sciences

Background: Corona virus disease 2019 (COVID-2019) is caused by a novel virus which belong to a family of corona virus. It is highly infectious and transmissible disease. First case of COVID-19 was reported in china on 31^st December 2019 and on March 11, 2020 it was declared pandemic by WHO. In india the first case of COVID-19 was reported in Kerala, On January 27, 2020. COVID 19 has caused an immense pressure on the population, especially among doctors and health care workers. Post graduate dental students were also facing the high increasing risk, increase workloads as well as pressure to complete their thesis due to this COVID-19.

Aims and Objectives: The aim of this study is to assess the effect of COVID-19 pandemic on psychological health and impact on dissertation of post graduate students of dental field.

Materials and Methods: A web based cross- sectional study was conducted during July 2021 targeting dental postgraduate students. A self-developed questionnaire was circulated among the targeting population. Descriptive statistics was applied to calculate proportions and frequencies.

Results: Total of 223 participants completed the survey. Among the responses received 51.6% students had their dissertation in in vitro design and rest 48.4% had in vivo. More than 50% students were facing some kind of problems to complete their dissertation due to COVID-19. 36% students are planning to change their dissertation topic among them 75% planning to change their study design to in vitro. 100% of students were facing some kind of psychological problems and seeking help for the same.

Conclusion: This study suggests that COVID 19 has posed a negative impact on the academic works especially the dissertation work and the psychological state of the postgraduate dental students. Most of the students decided to change their area of dissertation towards in vitro study design.