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:
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
Contact information for the 53 state and territorial dental licensing boards may be found here
Additional Resources
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
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)
- 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)
- 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.
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