Assessment of breathing in the dental practice

The Resuscitation Council (UK) (2015) advocates the early recognition of the sick patient by undertaking a systematic clinical assessment following the ABCDE approach (box 1). Assessment of breathing is integral to this ABCDE approach.

The aim of this article is to understand the systematic approach to the assessment of breathing.

Related anatomy and physiology

Breathing or respiration is the process whereby air passes into the lungs so that the blood can absorb oxygen and give off carbon dioxide and water. It comprises of inspiration and expiration:

Normal breathing is quiet and the normal respiratory rate in adults is between 12 and 20 times per minute (Resuscitation Council UK, 2015). The respiratory centre in the medulla oblongata in the brain controls the rate and depth of breathing; higher centres in the cerebral hemispheres can result in breathing being temporarily stopped, slowed or quickened up voluntarily. Useful definitions related to breathing are listed in box 2.