Medical emergencies in dental practice: case studies

The public expects and the inspecting and regulating bodies increasingly demand that dental care professionals are prepared and equipped to adequately manage common medical emergencies that occur during their work. Girdler and Smith (1999) estimated that the average dentist might expect to encounter some form of medical emergency during their practice as often as every 16 months.

A number of common medical emergencies may occur, to which any member of the dental practice team would be expected to respond in an organised and structured manner (Resuscitation Council, 2006). Two of the most commonly reported emergencies, after fainting, were anaphylaxis and hypoglycaemia (low blood sugar) (Atherton et al. 1999). There are common principles in the management of these medical emergencies, as well as some specific measures that should be undertaken to reduce the risk of cardiac arrest and death arising from these situations.