Reflections on Assumptions for a Simulation Model of Dental Caries Prevention Planning in a Primary School

Abstract

The discrete event simulation method is commonly used to support decision-making in healthcare management. It is also used in planning the prevention of tooth decay in schools. Its usefulness largely depends on the concept of the model, which reproduces a fragment of reality along with the assumptions made. The aim of this paper is to discuss particular important modeling issues, which we faced, while developing a discrete event simulation model to support decision making in caries prevention planning in a sample primary school in one of the cities in the South-West Poland. We present reflections on the assumptions for the discrete event simulation model. The first stage of the simulation study confirms the relevance of the analysis of these assumptions and that their choice was appropriate. Therefore, the developed model may be the basis for further research and, as a result, be a tool to support management in planning the prevention of tooth decay in primary schools in Poland.