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Practical procedures: defibrillation in dental practice

5 mins read Medical emergencies
Automated external defibrillators (AEDs) are necessary in the diagnosis and management of cardiac arrest and its precursors. Failure to use an AED on a collapsed patient may result in a member of the dental team being challenged if it can be shown that it could have favourably influenced to the outc

Every year in the UK about 30 000 people sustain a cardiac arrest in the community setting (Nolan et al, 2010). The majority of these cardiac arrests are caused by ventricular fibrillation, the definitive treatment of which is rapid defibrillation. The delay from collapse to delivery of the first shock is the single most important determinant of survival (Resuscitation Council (UK), 2011).

If a cardiac arrest occurs in the dental practice, defibrillation will probably be required. The Resuscitation Council (UK) recommends that every dental practice should have immediate access to a automated external defibrillator (AED) (Resuscitation Council (UK), 2012), and dental nurses must understand how to use an AED safely and effectively.

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