Using Queuing Theory and Simulation to Improve Oral Health Program

Abstract

Queuing Theory is an important branch of Applied Mathematics which involves the mathematical modelling and analysis of systems where entities, such as customers in a line, arrive at a service facility, wait for service, and then depart after being served. Applied Mathematics provides the tools needed to model and analyze queuing systems. In 2021, the 74th World Health Assembly approved the historic resolution for Oral Health, which, recognizes the need to develop a project and proceed with the launch of a "Global Strategy for Oral Health". In this sense, and for the necessary adaptations to occur in the Portuguese National Health System (PNHS), an in-depth study is necessary specially at the level of human resources, essential for the program to be effectively implemented and the objectives proposals duly achieved. Minimizing patient waiting times is a crucial consideration in healthcare sector management. This work aims to improve and build a discrete event simulation model for modeling patient flow queuing system in an NHS dentist's office, with the purpose of exploring options for designing an effective queuing system. The model of a public dental office is simulated with the help of Arena Software, based on data collected by the Portuguese Dental Association to optimize dental service management. Therefore, through this simulation, the efficiency of this public dental administration can be increased, thus being able to offer oral health care to the entire Portuguese population. The findings of the simulation indicated that little adjustments to the current system could have a significant impact on the use of resources.