title: Preparing the dental office for medical emergencies.
abstract: Modern dental offices must be equipped to initiate prompt emergency care should the sudden need arise. With the elderly population in dental practices increasing, these emergencies will undoubtedly occur. This article discusses the basic emergency equipment the average dental office should possess to allow for an adequate initial response. It also discusses the policies and personnel needed for dealing with emergencies. Among the basic emergency equipment, an office should have syringes, an Ambu bag, a portable oxygen system, a sphygmomanometer (child and adult sizes), and an EKG/defibrillator. Emergency drugs that should be stocked include aromatic ammonia, aspirin, and nitroglycerine. The dentist should also develop a protocol and policy for his/her staff to follow when a medical emergency arise.
authors.affiliation: Department of Dentistry and Oral Maxillofacial Surgery, The Brooklyn Hospital Center, 121 Dekalb Avenue, Brooklyn, NY 11201, USA. hdymdds@yahoo.com
authors.forename: Harry
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Dym
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D002317:Cardiovascular Agents; D002648:Child; D047548:Defibrillators; D003770:Dental Offices / Q000458:organization & administration; D003797:Dental Staff / Q000193:education / Q000458:organization & administration; D004630:Emergencies; D004638:Emergency Treatment / Q000295:instrumentation; D006401:Hematologic Agents; D006801:Humans; D016134:Organizational Policy; D012121:Respiration, Artificial / Q000295:instrumentation; D019141:Respiratory System Agents; D019722:Sphygmomanometers; D013594:Syringes
chemical_list: D002317:Cardiovascular Agents; D006401:Hematologic Agents; D019141:Respiratory System Agents