Medical Emergencies in the Dental Setting

By Stephanie Lica, RDH, BSDH, Mona Riaz, RDA, RDH, MS

While fairly rare, medical emergencies do occur in dental settings, and oral health professionals need to be prepared. Cardiac events, syncope (fainting), diabetic complications, and allergic reactions are possible emergencies that dental professionals may encounter.

Medical emergencies may occur due to reaction to medications, anxiety, local anesthesia complications, or pre-existing conditions.¹ Tooth extractions and pulp expirations are the most common dental procedures that precede emergencies.²

* References can be found in the original article via the link below.
Read Article