COVID-19

President's Message Regarding COVID-19 2021-03-19 17:19

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I hope this message finds you in good health and spirit.

Firstly, I would like to thank everyone for your hard work in the current Coronavirus (COVID-19) crisis, torrential rains, and a heatwave. 

The sudden outbreak of COVID-19, which led to global chaos, calls for many changes in our daily lives. These changes not only restrict our personal lives but also directly affect various public activities. The Republic of Korea offers us hope for gradual improvement thanks to the active response from the government and other related organizations and cooperation from mature citizens. Still, fundamental changes are now being asked in our days. 

Although there are some limits and restrictions on the activities of KIDEE in Korea, our work is progressing smoothly without any major changes. In 2019, three schools (Gangneung, Kyunghee, and Chosun University) were evaluated, and five school (Dankook, Pusan, Seoul, Jeonnam, and Jeonbuk University) are now being evaluated. After successfully passing the ministry review in 2019, we were re-designated as a certified institution of dental education and evaluation for the next five years. 

Unfortunately, many international activities are inevitably adjourned. Most of our joint project plans with the South East Asia Association for Dental Education(SEAADE), Association for Dental Education, Asia Pacific(ADEAP), General Dental Council(GDC) in the UK, Association for Dental Education in Europe(ADEE) are unable to execute. Also, an international face-to-face meeting is almost impossible. KIDEE is also dealing with this current change by conducting an online conference in parallel with the original system. We have no choice but to expect a decrease in face-to-face meetings. 

The current situation, including social distinctions, is not just a temporary emergency. Many experts predict that our future will be irrevocably changed after the COVID-19 pandemic. The new world that we are about to face will require a change in all areas of our society by new diseases. In other words, it requires a shift beyond a transient response to sudden epidemics. First and Foremost, a new perspective on relationships is needed. For now, COVID-19 may not directly affect the role of dentists. However, it is time for us to revisit the role of health care providers, including dentists. Moreover, we have to anticipate changes in the education process.

Now, most institutions provide education in un-tact form, which has been effective in reducing face-to-face meetings, but it is difficult to ensure the actual outcomes, including the adequacy of education. There are no certain ways to confirm the performance of education yet, and by some measures, it seems to be returned to an old, input-oriented education system. In this situation, individual educational institutions and KIDEE have to work harder to ensure the performance.

From now on, KIDEE will prepare a new set of dental education suitable for a new order, not a temporary one. From a different perspective, an un-tact education system can be an opportunity to reduce misunderstandings which may occur in face-to-face situations. Moreover, un-tact can be an opportunity to approach the core of the curriculum more quantitatively and objectively. Therefore, Paradoxically, KIDEE's evaluation activities can get closer to the pint. Of course, it will take a lot of effort.

The upcoming changes will not estrange us from the direction of the new dental training program. KIDEE and many other educators have made great efforts to provide the people with high-quality dental care benefits and to train dentists with higher levels of medical proficiency. Shortly, there will be new demands for the training process and evaluation of medical personnel, including dentists. In the near future, the dentists must act as active protectors of people, not just as victims of the disease. To construct a new education system and evaluate the students, KIDEE needs your active participation. 

Again, we ask for your participation in the effort to turn this crisis into an opportunity. Let's look forward to the future of dentist with confidence. 

 

August 7, 2020

President Lee Jae Il