COVID-19's Ripple Effect: Transforming Academic Supervision and Learning for Dental Students

Background: The transition to online learning during the COVID-19 pandemic presented significant challenges for both faculty members and students, particularly affecting academic supervision and student support systems. This study aimed to evaluate students' attitudes toward academic advising, assess its accessibility, and investigate the effects of student support services at King Abdulaziz University’s Faculty of Dentistry (KAUFD) during the pandemic. Additionally, the study explored the pandemic's impact on student learning to devise strategies for mitigating future challenges. Methods: All students enrolled in the undergraduate dental program at KAUFD during the 2019–2020 academic year were invited to participate in two anonymous electronic surveys. These surveys assessed experiences with academic supervision and e-learning, satisfaction with academic advising and e-learning, availability of technical resources, and the overall impact of the pandemic on learning. The first survey focused on academic supervision (N = 977), while the second surveyed the impact of the COVID crisis on learning (N = 642). Results: Students responded positively to their academic advising, showing a preference for using WhatsApp to communicate with their advisors. The survey results indicated that sex, academic year, and grade point average did not significantly influence opinions on academic advising. However, students reported several effects of the pandemic on their academic experience: 78% felt their academic assessments were affected, two-thirds noted an impact on their psychological state, and about 60% reported that their educational achievement was adversely affected. Conclusion: The study identified key factors that students considered important for academic advising and learning during the pandemic. Recommendations for improving the educational environment in future crises include structuring and scheduling examinations thoughtfully, utilizing instant messaging for communication, and leveraging technological advances. These measures could enhance academic support and resilience in the face of future challenges.