Using medical emergency equipment in dental practice

Equipment for the management of medical emergencies can improve a situation; however, when used incorrectly or not available can have a detrimental impact on the outcome. Dental care practice environments should have the basic necessary equipment to appropriately enable the dental care professionals to respond to emergencies until the arrival of the emergency services (Resuscitation Council (UK), 2006). Further research is required on the compliance to the recommendation relating to equipment made in 2006 and the actual current prevalence of emergency situations that occur in dental practices in the UK.

The range of medical emergency equipment available in a dental practice setting was determined locally until 2006 when the Resuscitation Council (UK) published the first UK-wide guidance for dental care professionals as to the range of emergency equipment that should be available to enable practitioners to respond appropriately to medical emergencies (Resuscitation Council, 2006). The guidance was endorsed by the General Dental Council; however, this was only a recommendation and the guidance was not binding on dental practices.