Medical Emergencies in Dentistry
Definition
Medical Emergencies in Dentistry is a serious unpredictable, unexpected potentially dangerous situation that require immediate action. It can progress to mortality or neurological deficit in a short space of time if not properly managed
Physical Status Classification American Society of Anaesthesiologists
- ASA I Normal healthy patient
- ASA II A patient with mild to moderate systemic disease
- ASA III A patient with severe systemic disease that limits the activity but not incapacitating
- ASA IV A patient with severe systemic disease that limit the activity and is a threat to life
- ASA V A morbid patient not expected to live long
How to Minimise Medical Emergencies
- Evaluation of the medical history
- Current and previous medications
- Physical examination
- Determination of medical risk and anxiety
- Dental care plan
- Staff training
- Emergency kit
- Written emergency plan to the clinic
Medical Emergency Management Plan
- Discontinue treatment and assess consciousness
- Primary survey
- A, B, C, D, E
- Identification and treatment of immediately life threatening conditions
History of: - Allergies
- Medication
- Past medical/surgical history
- Last meal
- Event surrounding the emergency
- Resuscitation
Initial Management
- Airway
- Breathing
- Circulation
- Disability – Alert
- Verbal(Response to verbal command)
- Pain(Response to pain)
- Unresponsive
- Exposure
(A,B,C, Don’t Ever Forget Glucose)
Read more in the Attached Lecture
