Purpose: The role of simulation-based education (SBE) in enhancing communication has been established in the literature. To ensure achieving desired outcomes from SBE initiative, the individual learners, their experiences, and environments need to be considered. This study aimed at exploring the perception of post-graduate dental students regarding their participation in SBE sessions, around selected communication skills, designed in alignment with the assumptions of adult learning theory and steps of Kolb’s experiential learning cycle. Methods: This study utilized a qualitative design. Six focus-group sessions were conducted following the SBE sessions. The generated data was inductively investigated using a multi-staged participant-focused approach to thematic analysis, based upon constructivist epistemology. NVivo was utilized to facilitate text Fragments’ coding and categorization. Results: Forty-three post-graduate dental students participated. The analysis resulted in 16 categories spread across five sequential phases of the SBE experience. The “input” theme referred to the resources needed for the SBE process, and included three categories: facilities, personnel, and teaching materials. The second theme included steps of SBE “process”: pre-brief, simulation, and debrief. The third, fourth, and fifth themes constituted the short- and longer-term results of the SBE intervention. The participants reported instant benefits on confidence in their expertise in communicating with patients and their guardians. Additionally, perceived effects on the empathy and professionalism were reported. Conclusion SBE, that is based upon adult and experiential learning theories, and developed after thorough consideration of the individual learners, and their experiences and learning environments, holds potential in enhancing communication skills among post-graduate dental students.

Introduction: First permanent molars (FPMs) erupt early and their anatomy and location leave them susceptible to dental caries. This study aimed to retrospectively determine the prevalence, severity and pattern of dental caries of FPMs and investigate their relationship if any with demographics and medical health status of the partcipants. Methods: This was a retrospective cross-sectional study. A sample of the digital case notes and radiographs of children aged 5 to 12 years who attended the only postgraduate dental hospital in Dubai were accessed. The recorded data included the children’s demographic variables and the carious status of each FPM as recorded in the notes on the initial assessment. Descriptive and statistical analyses were conducted (P<0.05). Results: A total of 2984 FPMs were obtained from the digital records of 774 children. Their mean age was 8.07 (±2.23) years and only those that met the inclusion criteria were included in the study. The prevalence of dental caries and mean Decayed Missing Filled Surfaces of FPMs, were 42% and 0.3 (±0.04), respectively. The most prevalent decayed surface was the occlusal (29.2%), followed by mesial, buccal, palatal/ lingual, distal surfaces (24.2 %; 6.6 %; 3.1 %; 2.3 %) respectively. Children with medical problems and/or special needs had a significantly higher level of caries in the buccal surfaces (12.3%) (P=0.042). Conclusion: Caries of FPMs in a sample of Dubai children studied was prevalent, especially in those with special healthcare needs, thus indicating a necessity for targeted prevention and treatment focused on these keystone teeth.