How do we teach simulation-based dental education? Time for an evidence-based, best-practice framework

Area of Science:

• Dental Education
• Healthcare Simulation
• Educational Theory

Background:

• Traditional dental education relied on practical skills.
• Patient safety awareness has driven simulation advances in healthcare.
• Dental simulation requires enhanced best-practice standards and evidence-based curriculum design.

Purpose of the Study:

• To explore educational theory in healthcare simulation.
• To examine internationally recognized best-practice standards for simulation.
• To propose a framework for contemporary simulation-based dental curriculum.

Main Methods:

• Review of educational theory and healthcare simulation development.
• Analysis of best-practice standards within dental education context.
• Examination of the simulation-based activity cycle.

Main Results:

• Healthcare simulation has advanced due to patient safety focus.
• Dental simulation necessitates improved standards and theoretical grounding.
• A best-practice framework is proposed for dental simulation curriculum.

Conclusions:

• Contemporary dental simulation education requires a structured, evidence-based approach.
• Integrating educational theory and best practices enhances simulation effectiveness.
• The proposed framework supports the design and delivery of improved dental simulation curricula.