Evaluating the Effectiveness of “B.A.S.I.C.S” Simulation in Undergraduate Dental Students: An Institutional Based Study

Abstract Background Simulation training in medical education provides a risk-free environment for practicing clinical skills, enhancing proficiency, and fostering interdisciplinary teamwork. It integrates to modern healthcare training, providing safe environments for students to master clinical skills. The Basics of Anaesthesia, Surgery, and Intensive care in Clinical scenarios (BASICS) program at a Private Dental College focuses on anaesthetic, surgical, and certain procedures which were introduced to bridge academic knowledge and clinical application to enable dental students to develop clinical competencies in emergency procedures. Methods Dental students were segregated into groups and participated in simulation exercises which includes airway management, intubation, catheterization, ryle’s tube placement, intravenous cannulation, operation theatre etiquette, suturing and nasal packing. Training was complemented by theoretical lectures, online tests, hands-on sessions with mannequins, and debriefings. Faculty assessments and real-time feedback were provided, with statistical analysis evaluating improvements in task performance over multiple academic years. Results Over a 7-year period, the simulation-based training program demonstrated significant improvements in task efficiency and reduced durations for key clinical procedures, especially between the fourth-year and internship phases. Clinical tasks such as airway management, urinary catheterization, and IV cannulation showed substantial progress. Task durations notably decreased as students advanced, with reductions observed from third-year students to interns in airway management, urinary catheterization, and IV cannulation. These improvements indicate better skill retention, increased confidence, and greater efficiency. Conclusion The study confirms that simulation-based education facilitates skill acquisition, improves efficiency, and enhances confidence in clinical settings among dental students. The findings support the integration of simulation training within dental curricula to bridge the gap between theoretical knowledge and practical application, contributing to improved patient care.