Fighting the spread

Aim

Objective

This article meets GDC development outcomes A, B and C

Spreading infection from dental abscesses can occur in the dental practice and hospital departments. The Resuscitation Council UK guidelines recommend early recognition and treatment of acutely ill patients using the ‘ABCDE’ approach. Dental nurses need to be familiar with the management of spreading dental infections and use of the ‘ABCDE’ approach to manage the patient, and how to apply it in the dental practice and hospital. This article aims to understand the signs and symptoms, principles of recognition and treatment/management of the spreading dental infection and dental abscesses.

The ‘ABCDE’ approach

The recognition of acutely ill patients should be assessed with a systematic approach following the spread of a dental infection. Recognition and treatment of the acutely ill patient should be undertaken following the systematic and logical application of the ‘ABCDE’ approach.