Kishimoto N, Ujita T, Tran S D, Sanuki T, Seo K. Simulation training for medical emergencies: Evaluation of dentists' long-term learning skills and confidence. Eur J Dent Educ 2024; DOI: 10.1111/eje.12996.

Repeating training every three months may improve patient safety.

All dental professionals should be confident and competent to manage medical emergencies in the workplace. Simulation training has been shown to improve knowledge and skills but life-like computerised mannequins (robot patients) which reproduce a realistic environment for training are expensive. Using an inexpensive vital signs simulation app (SimMon; Castle Andersen Apps) in combination with a standard mannequin, 38 participants were trained to diagnose and treat medical emergencies.

Recall checklist scores were compared immediately post-training and at 3, 6 and 12 months. Post-training, most scores were 100% but within three months, scores declined and continued to do so to the 12-month reassessment. Although the number of participants was small, the authors suggest that repeating such training every three months should ensure greater patient safety.