The recovery position

The Resuscitation Council (UK) (2011) has issued guidance on the recognition and treatment of a sick patient. These guidelines follow the logical and systematic ABCDE approach to patient assessment:

? Airway

? Breathing

? Circulation

? Disability

? Exposure.

In a patient who is unconscious, the airway is at risk from regurgitated gastric contents, debris in the mouth or upper airway, loose dentures or mechanical obstruction arising from structures in the mouth, for example, the tongue and epiglottis.

The recovery position will help to maintain a patent airway and reduce the risk of airway obstruction and aspiration.

Indications for the patient who is unconscious but breathing normally for the recovery position in the dental practice include: