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Dental Emergencies Medicine Mind Your Business Supporting Your Practice

Should Dentists Carry an Automated External Defibrillator in their Practice?

It is always a pleasure to host Dr. Joonyoung Ji again Oasis Discussions to speak about an increasingly important question: should dentists carry and AED in their practices. Dr. Ji spoke with Dr. John O’Keefe about few considerations that dentists might want to know. 

We hope you find the conversation valuable and that you share your feedback with us on Oasis Discussions or through oasisdiscussions@cda-adc.ca. Bookmark our page and visit us frequently to keep up to date with the latest in the world of dentistry!

Chiraz Guessaier, CDA Oasis Manager

Highlights

Automated External Defibrillators (AEDs) have become increasingly visible in public areas, including schools and shopping malls. As dental professionals, we are trained in basic life support and the addition of AEDs can be very helpful in emergency situations providing basic life support until paramedics arrive on the scene.

Some AED devices are automatic and others are semi-automatic. The automatic AEDs will read the cardiac rhythm and deliver a shock when needed. The device will also monitor the depth and rate of the chest compressions and give feedback. This is true for both an adult or child patient.

In the past, AEDs were priced significantly higher than they are now at ~$1500. The devices have a long battery life of 5 years. Each defibrillator manufacturer has specific maintenance requirements but, they are, in general, low maintenance.

As with all emergency equipment and medications, AEDs should be located in areas that are easily accessible, such as a central location in the office. All team members should be trained in using the defibrillator.

Two key components of BLS are high quality chest compressions and early defibrillation. The AEDs will deliver a shock if it detects a shockable rhythm and coach the rescuer through the chest compression and defibrillator cycle.

Full Interview (8.52″)

 

 

 

 

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