The ABCDE approach

Aim
To understand the principles of recognition and treatment of the acutely ill patient following the ABCDE approach

Objectives

GDC development outcomes C and D

Medical emergencies do occur in dental practices (Muller et al, 2008). The Resuscitation Council (UK) (2016) recommends the early recognition and treatment of the acutely ill patient following the ABCDE approach. Dental nurses need to be familiar with the ABCDE approach and how to apply it in the dental practice. The aim of this article is to understand the principles of recognition and treatment of the acutely ill patient following the ABCDE approach.

Background

Standards for the Dental Team (GDC, 2013) emphasises that dental nurses are responsible for putting patients’ interests first and acting to protect them. Central to this responsibility is the need for dental nurses to be able to effectively manage medical emergencies that may arise in the dental practice by recognising and treating acute illness following the ABCDE approach.