Brief: How would you manage a medical emergency in your dental office?

This Summary is an adaptation of the Clinical Info on Medical Emergencies provided by the Canadian Pharmacists Association (CPhA) 

• Treatment of a medical emergency in a dental office begins with assessment and, if necessary, treatment of airway, breathing and circulation (cardiopulmonary resuscitation).
• Most often, only after these basics are addressed should drugs be considered. They should, however, be readily available for such emergencies.
• A sugar source, such as orange juice or non-diet soft drink should be readily available for use in the management of hypoglycemic reactions.
• Additional agents may be appropriate depending on the nature of the dental practice.