Dental Students' Perceived Confidence and Preparedness Following Medical Emergency Simulation Training in Australia.

PURPOSE/

Objectives

The study aimed to investigate dental students' perceived confidence and preparedness for managing medical emergencies within a dental setting.

Methods

Three-hundred and six dental students completed a self-administered questionnaire following a novel medical emergency simulation training. Descriptive analyses were conducted to evaluate perceived confidence and preparedness gained through medical emergency simulation training. The data were tabulated, graphed, and analysed using SPSS.

Results

The study found that more than half of the students reported low confidence in managing medical emergencies, with 22.7% of students indicating they were not confident and 39.1% reporting they were only slightly confident. Following the simulation training, 61.2% reported being fairly confident and 10.4% felt completely confident. Additionally, 30.8% initially rated non-technical skills as borderline or poor, whereas after simulation training, 68.6% reported good or excellent non-technical skills. Overall, 83.6% agreed that the simulation training felt realistic and 97.6% agreed or strongly agreed that they felt more prepared for medical emergency situations.

Conclusion

It is concluded that the interactive simulation was effective in enhancing students' knowledge and self-reported confidence in managing medical emergencies within a dental setting.