An overview of drugs and ancillary equipment for the dentist's emergency kit.
The concept of a basic (i.e., essential) medical emergency kit suitable for a general dental practitioner varies somewhat between different authorities. A practitioner's choice is also dependant on the proximity of medical aid and the nature of the dental practice. Over recent years the trend has been to restrict the items to a minimum, in the interest of both common sense and safety, for example, just oxygen, adrenaline 1:1000, an oral carbohydrate source, glyceryl trinitrate and aspirin as first options. Ancillary equipment should include an oxygen therapy facemask, a pocket mask and a set of oral (Guedel) airways. Two further medication options for consideration are an aerosol bronchodilator and, in certain circumstances, an injectable antihypoglycaemic agent. This paper provides a selective overview of the subject. An absolute necessity is for dentists to be competent in Basic Life Support skills, and to maintain a complete and current medical history for all patients.
Chapman
P J
PJ
School of Dentistry, The University of Queensland, Brisbane.
D018663:Adrenergic Agents; D001241:Aspirin; D001993:Bronchodilator Agents; D016887:Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation; D003815:Dentists; D004638:Emergency Treatment / Q000295:instrumentation*; D004837:Epinephrine; D005947:Glucose; D006801:Humans; D007004:Hypoglycemic Agents; D017214:Laryngeal Masks; D008397:Masks; D005996:Nitroglycerin; D010102:Oxygen Inhalation Therapy; D004364:Pharmaceutical Preparations; D010975:Platelet Aggregation Inhibitors; D014665:Vasodilator Agents
D018663:Adrenergic Agents; D001993:Bronchodilator Agents; D007004:Hypoglycemic Agents; D004364:Pharmaceutical Preparations; D010975:Platelet Aggregation Inhibitors; D014665:Vasodilator Agents; D005996:Nitroglycerin; D005947:Glucose; D001241:Aspirin; D004837:Epinephrine