Could You Recognise a Medical Emergency in Your Dental Practice? | Kent Express

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Laurence Bohan

Content Writer

Laurence Bohan

Content Writer

Laurence is a copywriter and trained journalist. His passion is creating insightful and educational content for dental professionals of every level. Outside of work, he enjoys watching sport, quizzing and spending time with his family.

Please note this article is for information and educational purposes only.

There is no substitute for first aid training from a qualified professional or advice from a suitably qualified medical professional. In an emergency you should first contact emergency services in your local area. Though rare, medical emergencies can happen in the dental practice from time to time.

Recognising the early signs of a medical emergency and knowing how to manage the situation before outside help arrives can go a long way to ensuring the patient has a successful outcome. We would recommend all members of the dental team undertake emergency first aid training from a recognised and qualified provider. Here are seven common medical emergencies, the associated warning signs, prevention methods and treatment best practice.

How do you manage a syncope emergency?

Syncope patients should be placed in a supine position and given oxygen. Airways should be maintained, and the patient’s blood pressure and pulse should be monitored until full recovery. If the recovery is delayed and the patient is conscious, a form of glucose can be given. If a patient does not respond, monitoring should continue, an ambulance should be called and CPR given by a trained member of staff.

How Do You Manage a Syncope Emergency?

Syncope patients should be placed in a supine position and given oxygen. Airways should be maintained, and the patient’s blood pressure and pulse should be monitored until full recovery. If the recovery is delayed and the patient is conscious, a form of glucose can be given. If a patient does not respond, monitoring should continue, an ambulance should be called and CRP given by a trained member of staff.

How do you manage a hyperventilation emergency?

Unlike other medical emergencies, hyperventilation patients should be placed in an upright position. Because the patient is blowing off carbon dioxide, you want to get this back into their system. This can be done by having the patient breathe into their hands, a bag or a mask with no flow of oxygen.

How do you manage an allergic reaction?

When managing a mild allergic reaction, the first step to remove the stimulus, for example the rubber dam, and then stop treatment for the day. The patient can then be given an oral or intramuscular antihistamine to relieve their symptoms. For serious reactions like anaphylaxis, epinephrine (adrenaline) is often given as an intramuscular injection as first line treatment. Epinephrine can be delivered with an EpiPen, an auto-injectable device. Some patients will carry these with them at all times. The patient should have their pulse and blood pressure closely monitored to make sure the epinephrine is working. The patient will require emergency treatment once stabilised.

How to manage an asthma attack?

As soon as you spot signs the patient may be having an attack, suggest that they sit up and use their inhaler. Salbutamol Inhalers should be on hand in the practice to give to the patient in case they do not have one.

How to manage an asthma attack?

As soon as you spot signs the patient may be having an attack, suggest that they sit up and use their inhaler. Salbutamol Inhalers should be on hand in the practice to give to the patient in case they do not have one.

How do you manage chest pain?

Patients suffering from angina can often have their chest pain alleviated with the use of a nitro-glycerine, such as Glyceryl Trinitrate. It is important to monitor the patient’s blood pressure as this can determine the best course of action. For patients with a blood pressure under 90, nitro-glycerine is contraindicated and an ambulance should be called. If patients show signs of a heart attack, emergency services should be called immediately. The patient should be given oxygen if possible, placed in a supine position and - providing they are not allergic to the drug - given aspirin. If a patient is showing no pulse and not breathing, CPR should be performed using an automated external defibrillator (AEDs), or manually by a suitably trained team member. For more information on how to use AEDs, click here. Again it is essential that emergency medical services are called as soon as possible.

How do you manage hypoglycaemia?

Once you see any early signs, treatment should stop and the patient be given a source of carbohydrate, such as glucose. Glucose Is commonly delivered in the form of a liquid, tablet or gel. It can also be injected with use of a device such as a Glucagen Hypokit. Glucose meters can be used to check a patient’s blood sugar levels.

How do you manage a seizure emergency?

Start by removing whatever the patient had in their mouths and then move any objects or instruments away from the patient to prevent them causing injury to themselves or you. The seizure should then be allowed to take place and will usually last for a few seconds up to around a minute. Do not try and restrain the patient. If the seizure lasts for longer than 3 minutes that is when a benzodiazepine medication such as Midazolam can be given via an intramuscular or intravascular injection. The NHS advice is that those untrained to deal with seizures call an ambulance immediately if a patient has a seizure that doesn’t stop after five minutes.