M. Greenwood and J. G. Meechan
Note: The article could contain medication that is not similarly labelled in Canada.
Purpose of the Article
- The actions needed to manage specific medical emergencies are discussed. Each emergency requires a correct diagnosis to be made for effective and safe management. Contemporar
- The article:
- Discusses treatment for specific emergencies and where appropriate the drugs used.
- Recognises signs and symptoms of relevant medical emergencies.
- Outlines routes of drug administration appropriate to dental practitioners.
Key Messages
- The cornerstone of emergency management is the ABCDE approach (Airway, Breathing, Circulation, Disability, Exposure).
- Emergencies can usually be anticipated by obtaining a thorough medical history.2
- Once the nature of the emergency has been established, more specific management must be instituted, underpinned by the ABCDE approach.
- Most frequent medical emergencies to occur in a dental office:
- Vasovagal syncope (faint)
- Hyperventilation/’panic attack’
- Acute asthma attack
- Angina/myocardial infarction
- Epileptic seizures
- Diabetic emergencies
- Allergies/hypersensitivity reactions
- Choking and aspiration
- Adrenal insufficiency
- Cardiac arrest
