Medical Emergencies in the Dental Office – Medical Emergencies in Life

Recommended for Dentists, Hygienists, Registered Nurses, Office Managers, Students

As health professionals we must always be aware that we are treating real people and not just another interesting set of teeth. Are we prepared to effectively manage a medical emergency in our office? Our patients rely on our unspoken ability to do so. This fact, however, leads to a dilemma: How can we always be ready to respond appropriately when emergencies occur so infrequently?

The answer? The simpler, the better!

Historically, medical and dental science approached these potential problems as follows:

• Prevention consisted of a convoluted medical history with many impertinent questions
• Recognition, immediately, of what was happening needed a snap diagnosis of that condition
• It was the observed standard of care in the 1970’s
• Control of the event unrealistically involved knowing which of several drugs to choose from, their route of administration, when to repeat a dose and all of their possible harmful side effects

All of the above were studied before and subsequently forgotten after the final senior year examination in oral surgery/anesthesia. The result was that for years, the profession was apathetic and confused towards the entire topic, even though dentists have always prided themselves on their high knowledge and close affiliation with the medical field.

This new and concise, yet thorough and effective presentation will provide participants with a logical and clear road map on how to respond to and proceed with ANY emergency or untoward event capable of ruining an otherwise enjoyable day.

A foundation in Basic Cardiac Support (CPR) will help integrate the overall concept of minimizing the number of equipment adjuncts and limiting the administration of drugs.

The Entire Team Will Learn:

• Office “Game Plans”
• Prevention
• Consultation Strategies
• Medical “Red Flags”
• Local Anesthesia and Vasoconstrictor Risk Management
• BLS, ABC’s, CPR, Advanced Review with Helpful Adjuncts
• Relating Rescue Knowledge To Your Home
• Hypertension, Angina and Myocardial Infarction
• “Do I need IV access?”
• A Few Good Drugs
• Automatic External Defibrillators: A Simple, Do-It-Yourself Emergency Kit
• Diagnosis Dependent Treatment
• “Fun With Emergencies”: An Interactive Self Evaluation Quiz

Dental Practice Related Problems
Local Anesthesia

• Maximum dosages
• Case reports, morbidity-mortality
• Allergies, the “I’m allergic to all caines” dilemma
• Articaine

Vasocontrictors

• Maximum dosages
• Hypertension
• Drug interactions, antidepressants, beta blockers
• Case reports
• Status of epinephrine vs. levonordefrin

The dentist and office team will experience renewed confidence and competence. A “how-to” and practical approach for preparation of your office personnel and equipment will be provided.

Slides, videos and case scenarios will illustrate how to handle and administer medications and then help assess “What’s your response, Doctor?”