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. 2023 Nov;235(9):721-726.
doi: 10.1038/s41415-023-6444-y. Epub 2023 Nov 10.

Prevalence of medical emergency events in primary dental care within the UK

Melissa Sin  1 , David Edwards  2 , Charlotte Currie  1 , Ian Corbett  1
Affiliations

Prevalence of medical emergency events in primary dental care within the UK

Melissa Sin et al. Br Dent J. 2023 Nov.

Abstract

Introduction Dental professionals have an ethical and legal obligation to diagnose and manage medical emergencies which may occur in primary dental care.Aims and objectives To investigate the prevalence of medical emergencies in UK primary dental care and explore the medical emergency training needs of UK primary dental care professionals.Design and setting Cross-sectional survey, targeting dentists, dental hygienists and dental therapists across the UK working within primary dental care.Materials and methods An online survey was distributed via dental society mailing lists, social media groups and a dental conference. The questionnaire consisted of participants demographics and training in, prevalence of and confidence surrounding medical emergencies.Results Respondents (n = 400) were dentists (55.8%), dental hygienists/therapists (38.8%) and specialists (5.5%). Most participants received basic life support training (62%) in 2019, before COVID-19. The most common medical emergencies were syncope, non-specific collapse and hypoglycaemia, being encountered every 1.59, 1.64 and 8.26 years, respectively. The preferred method for medical emergency training was practical based, with more training in administering emergency drugs and equipment identified as a training need.Conclusion Dental professionals will encounter medical emergencies in primary dental care every 1-2 years and are therefore not uncommon.

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Conflict of interest statement

The authors have no conflicts of interest to declare.

Figures

Fig. 1
Fig. 1
Medical emergency training received by participants in 2019
Fig. 2
Fig. 2
Confidence levels in diagnosing and managing specific medical emergency events (ACS = acute coronary syndrome)
Fig. 3
Fig. 3
Confidence levels in carrying out emergency skills (CPR = cardiopulmonary resuscitation; AED = automated external defibrillator; ABCDE = airway, breathing, circulation, disability, exposure; AVPU = alert, verbal, pain, unresponsive)
Fig. 4
Fig. 4
Confidence levels in interpreting the following vital signs as abnormal (AVPU = alert, verbal, pain, unresponsive)
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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