Dr. Jack Bottner DDS
  • Home
  • Services
  • Staff
    • Dentists
    • Hygienists
    • Assistants
    • Receptionists
  • What's New
  • Forms
  • Dental Information
  • Contact
  • Request an Appointment

Medical Emergencies in the Dental Office

7/6/2017

 
Article access from the ADA

​Introduction


A medical emergency in the dental office may be an unexpected event that can include accidental or willful bodily injury, central nervous system stimulation and depression, respiratory and circulatory disturbances, as well as allergic reactions.
​
Dentists, through their academic, clinical and continuing education, should be familiar with the prevention, diagnosis, and management of common emergencies. In addition, they should provide appropriate training to their staff so that each person knows what to do and can act promptly. Since these skills are not used every day, regular review is necessary: at least annually but preferably more often. Conducting mock emergencies may help office staff to be more confident with their roles when a real emergency occurs. As a result, dentists and their staff should be prepared to recognize, respond and effectively manage a medical emergency.

The components of a sound medical emergency plan for the dental office should include:
  • Medical emergency prevention
  • Development of an action plan
  • Recognizing a patient’s distress and management of medical emergencies
  • Emergency drugs and equipment


Some states may require that dentists have emergency drugs and equipment. For example, in 2010 Illinois became the first state to enact a law requiring dental offices that administer deep sedation to not only have an automated external defibrillator (AED) available, but also a written medical emergency plan. This new law does not apply to practices that use local anesthetics for routine dental care. However, many states require dentists, whether they administer general anesthesia or deep sedation, to have an AED available. For more information about the safety requirements in your state, consult with your state dental association and/or your state’s board of dental practice.

In the following sections, you will find information on recognizing, responding and effectively managing medical emergencies, as well as preventive preparation. New information and resources will be added to this area as they become available.

The Journal of the American Dental Association
  • Knowing Your Patients (May 2010) 
  • Preparing Dental Office Staff Members for Emergencies: Developing a Basic Action Plan (May 2010)
  • Preparing for Medical Emergencies: The Essential Drugs and Equipment for the Dental Office (May 2010)
  • Basic Management of Medical Emergencies: Recognizing a Patient’s Distress (May 2010)
ADA Resources
  • Guidelines for the Use of Sedation and General Anesthesia by Dentists(2012) (PDF)
  • Policy Statement: The Use of Sedation and General Anesthesia by Dentists (2012) (PDF)
ADA CE Online
  • Recognition and Management of Complications during Minimal and Moderate Sedation - Part One of a Two Part Program. In this course particular emphasis is placed on patient monitoring and airway management. (Basic life support at the health care level is recommended)
  • Dental Office Emergencies
    This course discusses how the dental office team can prepare itself to handle medical emergencies.


Boards of Dentistry
Contact information for the 53 state and territorial dental licensing boards may be found here

Additional Resources
  • American Heart Association Guidelines for Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation and Emergency Cardiovascular Care (2005)
  • Management of Medical Emergencies in the Dental Office: Conditions in Each Country, the Extent of Treatment by the Dentist (2006)
  • Institute of Medical Emergency Preparedness
  • The Six Links of SurvivalTM Reference Guide
  • Code Red
  • HealthFirst Corp.
  • DDS Training & Sedation Support Services
  • Sedation Resource

Comments are closed.

    Dr Jack Bottner

    We are accepting new patients! Call us at 519-686-6200


    Like us on Facebook

    Topics

    -Aging
    -March 2023
    -June 2020
    -January 2015

    -Baby Teeth
    -May 2022
    -December 2019
    -June 2018
    -August 2017
    -September 2017
    -August 2016
    -June 2015

    -Brushing for Kids
    -May 2022
    -April 2019
    -October 2016
    -June 2015

    Cannabis
    -February 2019

    Cavities
    -February 2023
    -May 2022
    ​-August 2020
    -September 2019
    -October 2016
    -April 2016
    -September 2016
    -March 2015

    COVID-19
    -July 2021
    -April 2021

    Children's Dental
    -May 2022
    -December 2020
    -December 2019
    -September 2019
    -July 2017
    -September 2016


    Diabetes
    -November 2021
    -June 2020

    -August 2015

    Diet
    -May 2021
    -April 2021
    -February 2021


    Dry Mouth
    -November 2017
    -May 2017
    -November 2016
    ​

    Eating Disorders
    -June 2019

    Endodontics
    -August 2019

    Erosion
    -May 2019

    Flossing
    -December 2018

    Fluoride
    -December 2021
    -September 2018
    ​
    Gum Disease
    -October 2020
    -December 2014
    -April 2014


    Sensitive Teeth
    -November 2020

    Oral Cancer
    ​-January 2019

    Oral Health
    -May 2022
    -January 2022
    ​-January 2020
    -October 2020
    -November 2017
    -October 2017
    -July 2014

    Overall Health
    -December 2021
    -January 2021

    Pregnancy
    -March 2023

    Scaling and Root Planing
    -October 2018

    Snoring
    -March 2021
    -April 2022

    Sports
    -October 2022

    Vaping
    -July 2017
    -August 2016

    Wisdom Teeth
    -September 2017

    Whitening Teeth
    -October 2021

    More topics coming soon!
    ​

    Archives

    March 2023
    February 2023
    January 2023
    December 2022
    November 2022
    October 2022
    September 2022
    August 2022
    July 2022
    June 2022
    May 2022
    April 2022
    February 2022
    January 2022
    December 2021
    November 2021
    October 2021
    August 2021
    July 2021
    June 2021
    May 2021
    April 2021
    March 2021
    February 2021
    January 2021
    December 2020
    November 2020
    October 2020
    August 2020
    June 2020
    May 2020
    April 2020
    March 2020
    January 2020
    December 2019
    September 2019
    August 2019
    June 2019
    May 2019
    April 2019
    February 2019
    January 2019
    December 2018
    October 2018
    September 2018
    August 2018
    July 2018
    June 2018
    May 2018
    April 2018
    February 2018
    January 2018
    December 2017
    November 2017
    October 2017
    September 2017
    August 2017
    July 2017
    May 2017
    April 2017
    December 2016
    November 2016
    October 2016
    September 2016
    August 2016
    July 2016
    June 2016
    April 2016
    December 2015
    November 2015
    September 2015
    August 2015
    July 2015
    June 2015
    May 2015
    March 2015
    February 2015
    January 2015
    December 2014
    November 2014
    October 2014
    September 2014
    August 2014
    July 2014
    June 2014
    May 2014
    April 2014

Copyright © 2023 Dr. Jack Bottner
Original website by Outdoor Connections
Updated by Andrea Twarowski