People can experience a medical emergency anywhere. Here are some of the most common types of medical problems that may be seen in a dental office:

Angina. The condition is caused by inadequate blood flow to the tissues of the heart. As a result, an area of heart muscle doesn't get enough oxygen. Patients may experience pressure, tightness or pain in the chest.

Heart attack (myocardial infarction). A heart attack occurs when a part of the heart muscle is deprived of oxygen. The affected area of the heart muscle is damaged or dies. Chest pain or pressure may be a signal of an impending heart attack. Patients may also experience shortness of breath, fainting, nausea or vomiting, sweating, cough, anxiety or a feeling of "impending doom."

Syncope (dizziness/fainting). Fainting is a temporary loss of consciousness caused by a reduction in blood flow to the brain. Patients may report feeling lightheaded, "woozy" or nauseated just before fainting. Anxiety, pain and emotional distress can cause fainting. Fainting can also be caused by hyperventilation (rapid deep breathing) or orthostatic hypotension (low blood pressure associated with changes in body position, like standing up from sitting).

Hypoglycemia (low blood sugar). The condition is caused by abnormally low levels of glucose in the blood. It is more common in people with diabetes. Patients may show signs of fatigue, nervousness, irritability or agitation, rapid heart rate, headache, cold sweats, blurred vision, dizziness or fainting.

Allergies. An allergy is an abnormal reaction of the body to a normally harmless substance. Patients may experience itching, rash, hives, nasal congestion and watery eyes. In the dental office, patients may experience an allergic reaction to things like medications or latex.

Asthma. Asthma is a condition characterized by inflammation of the airways and periods of breathing difficulty. The symptoms occur in response to a trigger (such as an allergy or emotional stress). Inflammation and swelling in the airways cause increased production of mucus, shortness or breath, wheezing and chest tightness. In severe cases, the symptoms can lead to unconsciousness and death.

Seizures. A seizure is a period of abnormal electrical activity in the brain. There are different types of seizures and each has different symptoms, ranging from a lapse in awareness to trembling, collapse and loss of consciousness.

Hemorrhage (bleeding). Minor bleeding is more common with oral surgeries (like tooth extraction or gum cleaning). In rare instances, the bleeding can be severe.

Dealing with Dental Office Emergencies

The U.S. Department of Labor estimates there are about 150,000 practicing dentists in the U.S. Although an office emergency is rare, dental professionals must still be prepared to deal with a problem if it arises.

Dental health professionals should have training in first aid, CPR and emergency preparedness. Some offices even stock emergency equipment (like oxygen, defibrillators and medications). Dentists-to-be learn about medical emergencies in school. But since the problem is so rare, some dentists may not be sure what to do in an emergency. Even those who have extra training may be unprepared because they aren't able to practice their skills.

Researchers at the University of Texas Health Science Center have developed a computer program to simulate medical emergencies in the dental office. The simulator displays an office environment on a computer screen with a "patient," dentist and available equipment. The programs can take a user through a variety of medical emergencies most commonly seen in the dental office (like a heart attack, syncope or asthma attack). The user can look up the patient's medical history, check vital signs or provide medications. A scenario must be completed within a realistic time frame or the patient "dies."

The dental emergency simulator is still a work in progress and is currently being tested at the University of Texas Health Science Center. Eventually, researchers would like to incorporate its use into the dental school curriculum for use in training dentists nationwide. The equipment may also be used in continuing education programs to enable working dentists to practice their skills or enhance their preparedness for a medical emergency. Currently, investigators say the best way to ensure proper care for a medical emergency is for patients to inform their dentists about underlying medical problems and ask what kinds of steps a dental office has taken to deal with an emergency.

Talk to your dentist to find out how he/she is prepared to deal with a medical emergency.

More Information:

American Dental Association