Dental practice management game: a new tool for teaching practice management

Area of Science:

• Health Management
• Business Simulation
• Dental Practice Administration

Background:

• Effective management is crucial for dental practice success.
• Simulations can aid in understanding complex business operations.
• Lack of accessible tools for dental practice management training.

Purpose of the Study:

• To describe the structure and components of a dental practice management game.
• To provide a tool for simulating a wide range of management decisions in dentistry.
• To illustrate the application of game-based learning in dental practice administration.

Main Methods:

• Development of a comprehensive dental practice management simulation game.
• Inclusion of decisions on practice location, legal structure, staffing, and equipment.
• Integration of daily, monthly, and yearly operational planning, including patient load forecasting and scheduling.

Main Results:

• The game encompasses strategic decisions for practice setup and operational management.
• It covers financial aspects like salaries and equipment purchasing/leasing.
• Detailed scheduling for patients, staff, and operatories is incorporated.

Conclusions:

• The described game offers a robust framework for dental practice management simulation.
• It addresses key decision-making areas from practice establishment to daily operations.
• The game serves as an educational tool for aspiring and current dental practice managers.