Abstract
Respected seniors, colleagues, students, and my fellow readers, as we move forward with life toward a new normality, embracing the fullness of it, we need to take utmost care and precautions in resumption of our routine praxis. I pray that all of you and your families stay safe and God gives us the strength to move forward.
The world has conformed with the age old Latin phrase, Aut inveniam viam aut faciam, which means “I shall either find a way or make one,” for the COVID-19 pandemic. The unique challenges for mankind are the ones which the contagion posed as a game changer. It had affected dentistry not only in terms of clinical practice but also at the level of dental education, research, and training. Orthodontics is no different in witnessing the same level of changes, while at first, we were all stalled due to the unprecedented situation; nevertheless, the reformed practice methods and modes of teaching which were instituted in these trying times have helped us come a long way.
In retrospect, for the world it took a Pandemic to open up to the idea of virtual interactions and embrace it. From online webinars, meetings to the recently concluded IOS Conference and IOS Elections, we are shifting more and more to the virtual platform of interactions. Although we all miss the good old days where we could travel and meet our seniors, colleagues, and friends in person, but it is time we stop and think, is it bringing a wider collaboration or creating a stratification amongst us?
Many professionals and academicians faced challenges during the first lockdown in transitioning to this phase. With the aggressive vaccination drive and opening up of the cities, some might be tempted to revert back to the old habits, however some changes are meant to stay. Tele-consultation, time-bound appointments, transfer of electronic records, supervision of treatment, and social distancing are already explained to the patients that have been gaining momentum in the past decade. 1 Patient-tracking applications have been developed to monitor the treatment for patients requiring frequent hospital visits like nasoalveolar molding, functional appliances etc enabling the clinicians to objectively assess the treatment, thus, increasing their efficiency and productivity. Online lectures and webinars have proven to be important tools for the students and researchers to interact with national and international speakers and laureates at the convenience of their smart devices. Educators can now address a far larger enthusiastic audience at the convenience of their offices and home without the hassle of long flights and lengthy schedules. Similarly, students can attend different lectures happening in different parts of the world and understand the various modalities of treatment. 2
However, the orthodontic teaching and training which has been heavily dependent on the old-school technique, human interactions, and learning by the true tactile sensation, we may ponder if we are ready to transform into the newer methods of learning.
Artificial intelligence has got a never-seen-before push with newer dimensions and applications being brought to the forefront; from clinical diagnosis to prediction of diseases. The world is moving more and more toward the hybrid method of teaching, world is more approachable and conveniently available. The big question that we really need to consider is: Are we ready for this? Are we really prepared for it?
Recently, a term, “covido-pedago-phobia” coined by Eachempati and Ramanaryan 3 elucidated the predicament countless health professionals and educationists faced who had to suddenly thrust into the online world to engage learners. We need to be consciously aware that what we are experiencing currently is “emergency remote teaching.” 4 They also discussed the impact of overdependence on these modalities by students, most importantly the lack of social interaction leading to students becoming socially inept, undermining their ability to face challenges in the future. We have been on a slippery slope in the past decade with mental ill-health, burnout, and work related stress. Is this a new monster waiting to raise its head?
The psychoeconomic setbacks incurred by all due to the pandemic would take some time to heal. These are intense feelings for anyone to bear, but dealing with ongoing unmanaged mental illness can have a negative impact on one’s ability to support the team and provide quality care and teaching to the patients and students alike. 5 Need of the hour is to create a safe working environment for everyone, provide encouragement, and direct help to anyone who needs it.
As stabilization takes place and a new equilibrium is established, we need to be resilient, grateful, and aware that the old and new normal must go hand-in-hand, and the only way forward is together! Jai Hind Jai IOS!