Managing Medical Emergencies in Dental Practice

Here's How you can manage medical Emergencies at your Dental Practice. 

This blog will delve into emergency dentistry, focusing on the critical aspects of managing medical emergencies within a dental office. Whether it's understanding the signs and symptoms of a dental emergency or knowing how to handle a patient in distress, we aim to equip you with the knowledge and skills needed to navigate these critical situations confidently.

Setting Priorities: Patient Safety Must Come First

An emergency is a medical condition that needs urgent care. Every Dental clinic does experience a dental emergency. Every dentist must be able to identify, assess, and manage a potentially life-threatening situation until the patient can be taken to a hospital.

Understanding pathophysiologic processes and how to correct them is essential for successful patient treatment. Even in hospitals with the best supervision, witness some emergencies end in disaster. People have heart attacks daily and they might be in your office at the time. You must know what to do to give the patient the best chance of healing.

Preparation For Emergencies

To ensure the safety of patients and effectively manage medical emergencies in the dental office, several preventive measures, training, and the availability of equipment and drugs are crucial. Maintaining comprehensive medical history records and regular updates is essential for all patients, with particular attention given to those with severe medical conditions. Patients with unstable conditions may need to refer a dental hospital.

Staff members should undergo proper training to be well-prepared and knowledgeable about emergency protocols, with clearly defined roles. It is vital to have a readily available Emergency Drug Kit and a thorough understanding of its correct usage. Furthermore, dental clinics must ensure that their equipment and drugs are up-to-date, easily accessible, and regularly checked for proper functioning. These measures allow dental practices to be fully prepared for any unforeseen medical situation.

Prevention

All patients must have thorough medical histories documented, which must be updated often. Patients with serious medical issues should be evaluated to see if they are suitable for dental treatment. Referrals for treatment at a dental hospital should be made for patients with severe or unstable medical conditions.

Training

A dental clinic's employees should be educated to handle medical emergencies, and a collaborative approach should be encouraged. There should be protocols, so employees know their responsibilities in handling emergencies. Although it's essential to have a portable emergency drug kit, it's even more important to be ready to follow the correct emergency procedures and administer the medications properly.

Get trained, run mock drills, and practice frequently to be effective. Understand the fundamentals of recording and evaluating vital statistics, the ABCs of resuscitation, how to provide oxygen intramuscularly, and when appropriate, where intravenous medication distribution is needed. It is necessary to enrol in training and certificate programs for the same.

Equipment and Drug

Drugs and emergency equipment must be readily available and in good working order. They should be saved for easy identification. The equipment must be tested regularly to ensure they are fit for operational purposes.

Equipment:

In dental practices, the following equipment must be carried and immediately available:

• Oxygen cylinder with regulator for high-flow oxygen delivery.
• Syringes and needles are used to draw and administer medications.
• Bag mask with an oxygen reservoir.
• Oropharyngeal and nasopharyngeal airways are the most basic airway adjuncts.
• Blood pressure monitoring equipment.
• Salbutamol is delivered using a spacer device.

Essential Emergency Drugs:

Additional Emergency Drugs:

Management of Medical Emergencies

Common Reaction to the unconscious patient

Despite the wide range of potential causes, the first assessment and therapy of an unconscious or collapsed patient follow a similar pattern. The use of drugs, trauma, or deteriorating medical conditions can all result in unconsciousness. Nevertheless, the most typical reasons for losing consciousness include:

Vasovagal Syncope (Fainting)

With up to 2% of patients experiencing syncopeprior to or during dental treatment, it is the most prevalent cause of unexpected loss of consciousness. The likelihood of vasovagal syncope while under GA, and thus failing to recognize and rectify cerebral hypoxia, is the primary rationale for advocating the supine posture. Predisposing factors for fainting are Pain; Anxiety; Fatigue; Relative hyperthermia; Fasting.

Signs and Symptoms 

• Feeling dizzy and sick: pale.
• Skin that is cold and clammy.
• Slow, thready pulse that quickly accelerates;
• If you are not supported, you will lose consciousness and collapse.

Differential Diagnosis

A faint can mimic far more severe disorders, several of which can be ruled out by reviewing the patient's medical history. Strokes, corticosteroid deficiency, medication responses and combinations, epileptic fit, hypoglycemia, and MI are examples.

Prevention and Management

1. Predisposing variables should be avoided. Unless particularly prohibited (e.g., heart failure, pulmonary oedema), treat patients in the supine posture.
2. Lower the patient’s head to or below the level of their heart. It is best to lie the patient flat with legs slightly elevated.
3. Loose clothing (in the presence of a witness).
4. Keep an eye on your patient’s pulse. If recovery does not occur quickly, the diagnosis should be reconsidered.
5. Determine the precipitant and stay away from it in the future.
6. If the bradycardia persists and there is no evidence of a return to a rapid full pulse, attempt a small dose of atropine (100 IJg IV). The dose can be repeated up to 600 times IV.

Cardio-respiratory Arrest

Diagnosis and Management

For a cardiac arrest diagnosis, the patient must have:

• There is no centre pulse.
• Be oblivious

Place your patient’s hand on the patient's neck to feel the carotid pulse.

Protocol/Basic Life Support

1. Examine the surroundings for any hazards.
2. Shake and shout to test responsiveness.
3. Solicit assistance.
4. Tilt your patient’s head back, elevate your patient’s chin, or shove your patient’s jaw to open the airway.
5. Examine your patient’s mouth for vomit/debris and remove it with finger sweeps.
6. Listen for and feel for breathing while noting chest motions (up to 10 seconds). If you are not breathing, immediately call an ambulance or an emergency helpline.
7. Allow for two slow ventilations (up to five attempts).
8. Carotid pulse (up to 10 seconds) should be measured. i. If the pulse is present, but the patient is not breathing, perform ten ventilations and check the carotid pulse every minute. ii. If there is no pulse, conduct 15 chest compressions of 4-5 cm on the lower third of the sternum at 100 compressions per minute, followed by two ventilations.
9. If the pulse is recovered, review the patient's breathing and, if it is good, place the patient in the recovery posture and administer oxygen. Otherwise, keep breathing and compressing until aid arrives.

A patient's history of corticosteroid use collapses.

Corticosteroids reduce the adrenal response to stress in a therapeutic manner. This is more likely to occur during treatment and at a larger dose.

The primary goal is to prevent stress-induced collapse; if the patient has had steroids in the last year or is currently on steroids, cover any stressful procedure, anaesthesia, infection, or episode of trauma with 100 mg hydrocortisone 1M 30 minutes before intentional stress.

It is a misconception to suppose that avoiding prophylactic steroids reduces the likelihood of undesirable steroid effects.

Doubling the oral dose may help, but it is hit or miss. Calculating a 'precise' dose is overly complex. Unless you have a compelling cause to change, prescribe 100 mg hydrocortisone 1M.

Symptoms and Signs

Patients in acute pain should be treated as soon as possible. If such a patient collapses, the diagnosis is established by pallor, a quick, weak pulse, a profound and sudden drop in blood pressure, and loss of consciousness.

Management

Position yourself supine. Keep the airway open. Give O2. Obtain urgent IV access to 500 mg hydrocortisone. Ensure that assistance (such as an ambulance) is requested. Other possible reasons for collapse should be ruled out.

Anaphylactic Shock & Other Drug Reactions

It is important to remember that penicillins and cephalosporins have a 10% cross-over in an allergic response. An anaphylactic reaction is not an all-or-nothing event, and there are many levels of severity. The reaction usually begins a few minutes after a parenteral injection rather than immediately. However, some caution should be exercised because the faster an anaphylactic reaction starts, the more severe it is likely to be.

Symptoms include flushing, itching, numbness, cold extremities, nausea, and occasionally abdominal pain.

Signs:

Wheezing, face puffiness, rash, and chilly, clammy skin with a thin thready pulse are among the symptoms. A loss of consciousness and extreme pallor may evolve into cyanosis when respiratory failure develops.

Diagnosis differentiation:

When an asthmatic is given an NSAID to which they are allergic, it might be challenging to distinguish anaphylaxis from acute asthma. Adrenaline has bronchodilating properties. Angioedema appears suddenly, with significant facial and neck allergic swelling. The airway is in danger and should be treated as if it were anaphylactic. Don't worry; go through acute asthma before beginning anaphylactic management.

Management:

Allow the patient to breathe in the most comfortable position possible while administering oxygen (5 litres per minute) through a facemask. The medications are administered in the following order:

• Adrenaline (epinephrine) 1:1000, 500 micrograms intramuscular. Adult and kid 'Epipens' or 'Anapens' are available preloaded. You must be familiar with the form that is kept in your office.
• Chlorpheniramine: 10 mg intravenously will inhibit histamine's effects.
• 100-200 mg IV hydrocortisone
• Intravenous Fluids are only needed if hypotension occurs. An acceptable protocol would be 1 litre of saline infused over 5 minutes with continuous vital sign monitoring.

Epilepsy

Fits in a known epileptic may be triggered by malnutrition, flashing lights, certain medicines such as tricyclics, methohexitone or alcohol, or menstruation; they may also occur after a deep faint. Most epileptic fits do not require active intervention because the patient typically recovers independently. Careful placement is required to keep the patient from injuring himself.

Signs and Symptoms

• Many people with epilepsy develop an aura before losing consciousness with a hard-stretched appearance and jerking motions.
• They frequently have urine incontinence and may bite their tongue.
• The patient recovers slowly, feeling tired and confused.

Trauma, a malignancy, or alcohol withdrawal could cause the fit. A first fit in an adult should be thoroughly investigated.

Status Epilepticus

If the fit occurs again, the patient has entered the state of status epilepticus. This is an emergency that requires immediate attention.

Management

1. When a simple fit occurs, the patient should be placed in the recovery posture and allowed to recover.
2. If they experience a seizure, the fit is usually aborted with IV lorazepam 4 mg or IV diazepam 10-20 mg (in 5 mg boluses, 2 min between boluses, preferably as a lipid emulsion).
3. Be cautious with respiratory depression: Evaluate cardiorespiratory function; clear and maintain airways; and, if available, provide O2. Any epileptic patient with less-than-perfect control should have an IV cannula or a butterfly implanted, as stress is a significant precipitant.
4. Status epilepticus should not be permitted to last longer than 20 minutes because the risk of death (up to 30%) and lasting brain damage increases with the length of the event.

Hypoglycaemia

Hypoglycemia is a diabetic emergency that can arise before seeing the dentist. It is a severe and sometimes fatal diabetic complication caused by a missed meal, excess insulin, or increased calorific requirement due to activity or stress. Most diabetics are skilled at detecting the onset of hypoglycemia; nevertheless, some may lose this ability, especially if switching from porcine to human insulin. It is critical to recognize this state, and an acutely collapsing diabetic should be deemed hypoglycemic until shown differently, such as by "BM" sticks or blood-glucose readings.

Diagnosis

In a diabetic, disorientation, irritability, increased sleepiness, excitability, or violence indicate hypoglycemia. They frequently look to be inebriated.

Management

• If Conscious: Give glucose orally in whatever form that is accessible.
• If unconscious: Keep the airway clear. Put your patient in the recovery position. Assure assistance. Set up an IV line and administer up to 50 mL of 20-50% dextrose. If glucagon is available, 1 mg i.m. may be utilized.

Acute Asthmatic Attack

Exposure to an allergen can cause an acute asthmatic episode in a patient prone to bronchospasm. Cold, activity, or anxiety can all cause an infection.

Symptoms and Signs

• The patient will typically complain of a tight chest and shortness of breath.
• The examination will demonstrate shortness of breath and extensive expiratory wheezing.
• To assist breathing, the auxiliary muscles of respiration may be employed. If the patient cannot communicate, you face a potentially fatal situation.

Management

Use the patient's anti-asthmatic medications, such as salbutamol inhalers. This should ideally be delivered through a nebuliser.

A do-it-yourself nebuliser can be made by inserting the patient's inhaler into the bottom of a paper cup. When the inhaler plunger is depressed repeatedly, an aerosol is created inside the cup that the patient can inhale. Most reversible airway obstructions will be relieved. Steroids should be given as oral prednisolone if the patient has it on hand or as IV hydrocortisone up to 200 mg IV.

However, combining salbutamol, steroids, and O2 will typically completely resolve an attack. Only partially responsive patients must have underlying irritants like a chest infection either ruled out or addressed. Individuals who do not respond require urgent hospital admission.

Keep in mind that anaphylaxis might mimic acute asthma.

Remember to use 0.5 mL of adrenaline 1:1000 s.c.

Management in dental practice:

Maintain the patient's upright position. Oxygen should be administered. Use an inhaler or a nebulizer to provide salbutamol. Steroids should be administered.

If the patient responds ultimately, allowing them to return home is fair. If there is any question, take the patient to the nearest emergency room.

Inhaled Foreign Bodies

Many dental treatments include the use of delicate equipment and the supine position of patients, which increases the danger of a patient breathing a foreign body. There are two possible outcomes. Depending on whether the item hits the upper or lower airway.

Upper Airways

A choking patient should be bent forward to facilitate coughing. It will set off the cough reflex. It may clear the impediment.

If the obstruction is complete or cyanosis is present,

Conscious Patients:

• With one hand, support the chest and strike between the scapulae with the heel of the other. Repeat five times more.
• If this fails, do abdominal thrusts (Heimlich) by enveloping the victim from behind and delivering a forceful upward and inward squeeze to cause a quick ejection of air. Repeat up to 5 times more.
• Alter between 5 back blows and 5 abdominal thrusts.

Unconscious Patients:

• Sweep your patient’s fingers to remove any strange objects.
• With the sufferer supine, perform abdominal thrusts.
• If everything else fails, a cricothyroid puncture may save a life if the obstruction is above this level.

Lower Airways

The condition will be less severe because only a part of the lungs will be obstructed. It is also simpler to overlook. Traditionally, this entails a tooth or tooth fragment falling off the forceps and being inhaled, with the object ending up in the right posterior basal lobe while the patient is semi-upright. If this occurs, notify the patient and schedule a chest radiograph as soon as possible. If the offending item is in the lungs, a chest physician should remove it using fibre-optic bronchoscopy, which will eventually cause collapse and infection distal to the obstruction. Lobectomy is only used in rare cases.

Take Away

In conclusion, managing medical emergencies in the dental office is of utmost importance to ensure patient safety and positive outcomes. Dentists must be well-prepared and equipped with the knowledge and skills to handle unexpected situations effectively. Prioritizing patient safety and understanding pathophysiologic processes are essential for successful treatment. Preventive measures, comprehensive medical history records, and staff training are crucial in emergency preparedness. The availability of emergency equipment and drugs, along with their proper maintenance, is vital. Recognizing common medical emergencies such as unconsciousness, fainting, cardiac arrest, anaphylactic shock, and epilepsy is essential for prompt and appropriate management. By being proactive and well-trained, dental professionals can confidently navigate medical emergencies and provide optimal patient care.

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