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How to Deal an Emergency Situation as a Dental Assistant
- By James W Kelly
- Published September 23rd, 2008
- First Aid
- Unrated
As a Dental Assistant one has to perform a variety of duties. The job is such that one has to be highly detail oriented, alert and have the ability to stay calm and composed in any type of emergency situation.
Although most dental procedures are quite routinized, emergency situations also do occur. Such emergencies can be avoided to a huge extent by avoiding short cuts for procedures and always being on the toes when it comes to handling the needs of the patients.
A proper sense of planning and preparation helps every Dental Assistant to resolve issues and remedize emergency situations.
Often, during dental procedures, patients have been known to stop breathing or have some other complications as a result of some allergic reactions to an anesthetic.
Such situations are the true tests of the knowledge and proficiency of any Dental Assistant. It is of utmost importance that a Dental Assistant should know how to perform a CPR as well as have the ability to monitor the vital signs of any patient in order to identify any emergency situation.
Choking is another common emergency situation and a Dental Assistant should know how to deal with it. This has been a commonly observed phenomena, especially when the patient is under the influence of anesthesia.
As a Dental Assistant, one should be be aware of how to resolve this problem since, delayed action can lead to serious injury or even death. Occasionally, a patient may be
suffering from a health issue that is not related to dental procedures, such as heart attack, stroke, or a blood clot. Hence, a Dental Assistant should not only be throughly proficient in dental procedures but also have knowledge of other basic medical issues.
One of the most important points to keep in mind during an emergency situation, is to never leave a patient alone no matter what happens.
As a Dental Assistant, it is your duty to ensure the patient of quality emergency services till the arrival of a proper medical response team. On the arrival of an emergency team, ensure that you properly convey all the requisite information to the team so as to help them pinpoint the issue faster and take adequate actions.
A dental facility should have regular meetings in order to ensure the staff is always prepared to deal with emergency situations. To have practice drills is an ideal way to ensure this.
Phone numbers to all emergency agencies should be located at a prominent place and all staff-members should be aware of it. However, it is advisable not post to information where patients can view it as well, since it can further their anxiety and nervousness.
As a Dental Assistant, it is your duty to ensure all the above-mentioned in your dental facility. In case your dental facility lacks any of them, you should ask your employer to do the needful.
Negligence is simply not tolerable when the lives of patients are at stake. Inadequate procedure during an emergency situation can lead to suing or even closing down of a dental facility.
Although most dental procedures are quite routinized, emergency situations also do occur. Such emergencies can be avoided to a huge extent by avoiding short cuts for procedures and always being on the toes when it comes to handling the needs of the patients.
A proper sense of planning and preparation helps every Dental Assistant to resolve issues and remedize emergency situations.
Often, during dental procedures, patients have been known to stop breathing or have some other complications as a result of some allergic reactions to an anesthetic.
Such situations are the true tests of the knowledge and proficiency of any Dental Assistant. It is of utmost importance that a Dental Assistant should know how to perform a CPR as well as have the ability to monitor the vital signs of any patient in order to identify any emergency situation.
Choking is another common emergency situation and a Dental Assistant should know how to deal with it. This has been a commonly observed phenomena, especially when the patient is under the influence of anesthesia.
As a Dental Assistant, one should be be aware of how to resolve this problem since, delayed action can lead to serious injury or even death. Occasionally, a patient may be
One of the most important points to keep in mind during an emergency situation, is to never leave a patient alone no matter what happens.
As a Dental Assistant, it is your duty to ensure the patient of quality emergency services till the arrival of a proper medical response team. On the arrival of an emergency team, ensure that you properly convey all the requisite information to the team so as to help them pinpoint the issue faster and take adequate actions.
A dental facility should have regular meetings in order to ensure the staff is always prepared to deal with emergency situations. To have practice drills is an ideal way to ensure this.
Phone numbers to all emergency agencies should be located at a prominent place and all staff-members should be aware of it. However, it is advisable not post to information where patients can view it as well, since it can further their anxiety and nervousness.
As a Dental Assistant, it is your duty to ensure all the above-mentioned in your dental facility. In case your dental facility lacks any of them, you should ask your employer to do the needful.
Negligence is simply not tolerable when the lives of patients are at stake. Inadequate procedure during an emergency situation can lead to suing or even closing down of a dental facility.