
M Simulation recently hosted 11 dental students from Heidelberg University and delivered a simulated training experience on managing medical emergencies. The German cohort of students was visiting the University of Minnesota as part of the School of Dentistry’s exchange program which launched virtually earlier this year and expanded to include in-person experiences this spring.
The experience, Mock Medical Emergencies, is designed to train advanced dental students on how to handle potential medical emergencies in the dental clinic, such as anaphylaxis. M Simulation staff presented several scenarios and used patient simulators—full body, high fidelity manikins—to allow students to learn and practice their skills without harm to themselves or a live patient. As part of the training, M Simulation staff spoke through the manikins to voice the patients, bringing a higher level of authenticity to the simulations.
Karin Quick, DDS, PhD, director of the Division of Dental Public Health and director of global programs at the School of Dentistry, along with M Simulation faculty and staff debriefed the scenarios and provided feedback to the students at the end of the training event.

“Most of us don’t think about medical emergencies when we visit the dentist, but it is essential that learners are prepared to provide immediate care in the event of an emergency,” said Lou Clark, PhD, MFA, executive director of M Simulation. “We are proud to collaborate with the School of Dentistry on this annual event for University of Minnesota dental students. It was also a pleasure to share it for this international exchange program and provide our simulation expertise to help train future dental practitioners on medical emergencies.”
“Seeing students managing the medical emergency communicating in English with the patient and at the same time working as an effective and efficient team speaking in German was amazing,” said Quick.