Medical Emergencies in the Dental Office

How Dental Offices Are Prepared

Patient safety is the top priority in any dental setting. Here's how clinics prepare for potential medical emergencies:

• Thorough Medical History Review: The most important step is prevention. A detailed review of your health history helps identify any potential risks before treatment begins.
• Staff Training: All clinical staff are trained in Basic Life Support (BLS), including CPR. They conduct regular emergency drills to keep their skills sharp.
• Emergency Equipment: Dental offices are equipped with an emergency drug kit, oxygen, and often an Automated External Defibrillator (AED).
• Clear Protocols: Every office has a clear, practiced plan for how to respond to different types of emergencies, including who calls for emergency medical services (EMS) and who provides immediate care.

Common Medical Emergencies and Management

• Fainting (Syncope): The most common emergency. The patient is placed in a reclined position to improve blood flow to the brain.
• Allergic Reactions: For a mild reaction, an antihistamine may be given. For a severe reaction (anaphylaxis), an epinephrine injection is administered, and EMS is called immediately.
• Hyperventilation: The patient is coached to slow their breathing. Oxygen is not used in this situation.
• Asthma Attack: The patient is assisted with their own bronchodilator inhaler. Oxygen may be provided.
• Cardiac Events (e.g., Heart Attack): EMS is called immediately. The patient is made comfortable, oxygen is administered, and the team is prepared to perform CPR if necessary.