The Limitless Dental team stay up to date with first aid and CPR training

Medical emergencies can happen anywhere at any time. Although we hope they never happen in our dental practice, rest assured that the team at Limitless Dental remain up to date with their first aid and CPR training. 

While everyone on the team has previously completed first aid and CPR training, it’s important in this environment that these vital skills in managing emergencies are regularly refreshed every three years. The dentists and dental nurses each participated in online assessments, hands-on first aid and CPR training this week at our Stanmore practice. Upon completion, they have each attained their HLTAID011 certification in providing first aid and performing CPR. 

We also undertook a risk assessment of the most likely emergencies that may occur during a dental procedure or within the dental practice. We then took the opportunity to update our protocols and procedures regarding medical emergencies, which ensures that everyone on the team is up to date on what process they should follow. 

What are some of the medical emergencies that can occur in a dental practice?

The Limitless Dental team has a duty of care to provide a safe environment for our patients, in particular when dealing with medical emergencies that occur in our Stanmore practice. While they are rare in occurrence, some of these medical emergencies include:

• Syncope (fainting) in the dental chair or elsewhere in the practice; it may occur when the chair is lowered or out of fear when local anesthetic is administered – the team will lay the patient in supine (flat) position with feet elevated to help increase the blood supply to the brain
• Hypoglycemia before, during or after a dental procedure, where a patient’s blood sugar has dropped – the team will administer oral glucose and monitor
• Allergic reaction
• Seizures
• Asthma attack
• Cardiac emergencies

What are some of the other protocols in place to ensure that I’m looked after if I have a medical emergency in the dental practice?

Our team is trained to remain calm in any sort of situation and are effective in working with one another to deal with issues and emergencies as they arise. We are also equipped with a well-stocked first aid kit, as well as oxygen should that be administered.

Risk management also plays a vital role in reducing the likelihood of an emergency. We take a thorough medical history for each patient when they present for treatment and ensure relevant alerts are set up on their profile for all to see (e.g. allergies to certain medications, recent surgeries etc). These are revised and updated on an ongoing basis with each of our patients.

The Limitless Dental team are well-equipped to handle any medical emergency that arises in our Stanmore practice. Whether patients are coming in for a dental emergency, regular check up and clean or a surgical procedure, they will be expertly looked after.