GDC General Dental Council

Medical Emergencies & Resuscitation

All Dental Practitioners and Dental Care Professionals may have to deal with medical emergences. Fortunately, these are rare. The commonest problems, namely, Syncope (faints), hypoglycaemia, angina, seizures, choking, asthma and anaphylaxis. Myocardial infarction and cardio-pulmonary arrest are even more uncommon.

Despite such events happening so infrequently, published guidance from the General Dental Council (GDC) in 2005 has clearly stated that:

•  Medical emergencies can occur at any time.
•  All members of staff need to know their role in the event of a medical emergency.
•  Members of staff need to be trained in dealing with such an emergency
•  Dental teams should practice together regularly in simulated emergency situations

“Medical Emergencies & Resuscitation:  Standards for Clinical Practice and Training for Dental Practitioners and Dental Care Professionals in General Dental Practice.

July 2006:7 ISBN1-903812-15-1” To view this artical click here

Course Content:

• Emergency Medical Drugs
• Emergency Medical Equipment  
• Syncope
• Choking & Aspiration
• Cardiac Emergencies
• Asthma
• Epilepsy
• Diabetes
• Anaphylaxis
• Basic Life Support & Defibrillation (Adult)
• Basic Life Support (Paediatric)