This document provides information on how to manage various medical emergencies that may occur in a dental setting. It discusses approaches to emergencies like syncope, seizures, hypoglycemia, trauma, chest pain, airway obstruction, and asthma. For each emergency, it describes signs and symptoms, prevention strategies, and management steps. The management sections emphasize maintaining the ABCs (airway, breathing, circulation), providing oxygen, treating underlying causes, monitoring vital signs, and seeking definitive medical care as needed. The document also lists common emergency medications and recommends having an emergency drug kit available.

1. MEDICAL EMERGENCIES
IN COMMUNITY
 Presented by:
Jigyasha timsina
Batch 2011
1

2. Emergency
An unforeseen combination of circumstances or the
resulting state that calls for immediate action
2

3. WHY FOCUS ON MEDICAL EMERGENCIES???
Does not allow time for orderly information
gathering and formulation of a narrow differential
diagnosis before the initiation of therapy.
“When you prepare for emergency, the emercency ceases to exist”
3

4. APPROACH TO A MEDICAL EMERGENCY
 Comprehensive medical history
 Vigilant observation & prompt PREVENTION
recognition of symptoms of an emergency
 Basic life support PREPARATION
 Affiliation to definitive medical care
Did you know ???
A person who receives BLS has
20%increase in survival rate than one who
does not…so just act..
4

5. 5

6. Emergency drug kit
ADA suggests that following
drugs should be included as
minimum in emergency kit.
1. Oxygen
2. Epinephrine 1:1000(injectable)
3. Nitroglycerin (sublingual tablet
or aerosol spray)
4. Histamine blocker (injectable)
5. Bronchodilator (asthma
inhaler - salbutamol)
6. Aspirin
7. Oral carbohydrate
6

7. Other drugs
Glucagon
Atropine
Ephedrine
Corticosteroids
Morphine
Naloxone
Nitrous oxide
Injectable benzodiazepine
Flumazenil
7

8. Most Common
EMERGENCIES
SYNCOPE SEIZURE
TRAUMA
ASTHMATIC
ATTACK
HYPOGLYCAEMIA
AIRWAY
OBSTRUCTION
ALLERGIES
CHEST PAIN
8
DRUG TOXICITY

9. SYNCOPE
 Defined as a short loss of consciousness
and muscle strength, characterized by a
fast onset, short duration, and
spontaneous recovery
9

10. CAUSES10

11. Clinical symptoms
 Presyncope
 Syncope
 Postsyncope
11

12. Presyncope
Early
 Feeling of warmth
 Loss of skin colour
 Heavy perspiration
 Complaints of feeling ill
 Nausea
 Hypotension
 Tachycardia
Late
 Pupillary dilatation
 Hyperpnea
 Cold hands and
feet
 Hypotension
 Bradycardia
 Visual disturbances
 Dizziness
12

13. Syncope
 Breathing
 Irregular, jerky and gasping
 Dilated pupils – death like appaerance
 Convulsive movements
 Bradycardia < 50 beats/min
 Weak thready pulse
 Loss of consciousness
 Partial or complete airway obstruction
13

14. Postsyncope
 Pallor
 Nausea
 Weakness
 Sweating
14

15. MANAGEMENT
 Position: supine position with brain and heart at same
level with feet elevated slightly (10 to 15 degree)
 ABC – Basic life support as needed
 Definitive management : Monitor vital signs
Administer aromatic ammonia
Administration of atropine (0.1mg/ml)
If delayed recovery seek medical assistance
15

16. SEIZURE
• A paroxysmal disorder of cerebral
function characterized by an attack
involving changes in the state of
consciousness ,motor activity or sensory
phenomena.
• Usually sudden in onset and of brief
duration.
EPILEPSY- “A chronic brain disorder of
various etiologies characterized by
recurrent seizures”
16

17. 17

18. 18

19. Common symptoms
19

20. PREVENTION
If pt is a known epileptic, make sure
he/she has taken their regular dose of
anti-convulsant on the day of
treatment.
Instruct him/her to alert you as the aura
of the impending seizure manifests itself.
Keep life support equipment ready in
case of an emergent status epilepticus.
20

21. Management
 Self limiting emergency
 Position : supine with patient placed on flat
surfaces
 Remove dangerous objects from the mouth and
around the patient eg. sharp instruments, needles,
etc.
 Loosen any tight clothing.
 Avoid restraining the patient
 In case the ictus fails to subside within a maximum
of 10 minutes, declare status epilepticus and
proceed with definitive care.
21

22. Definitive treatment
 Diazepam 10 mg iv (2mg/min)repeat
every 10 min
 Phenobarbitone (100- 200mg/min) iv
22

23. Hypoglycemia
 Hypoglycemia is a clinical
syndrome in which low
serum (or plasma) glucose
levels lead to symptoms of
sympatho- adrenal
activation.
23

24. 24

25. Management
 Glucose and sugar-containing beverages
administered orally to conscious patients for rapid
effect.
 Alternatively, milk, candy bars, fruit, cheese, and
crackers may be adequate in mild cases
 IV dextrose is indicated for severe hypoglycemia,
in patients with altered consciousness and during
restriction of oral intake.
 An initial bolus, 20-50 mL of 50% dextrose, should
be given immediately.
25

26.  Glucagon, 1 mg IM (or SC), is an effective
initial therapy for severe hypoglycemia in
patients unable to receive oral intake or in
whom an IV access cannot be secured
immediately.
26

27. TRAUMA
• Trauma refers to damage, impairment or
external voilence producing injury or
degeneration.
• Trauma of the oral and maxillofacial region
occur frequently
• comprises 5% of all injuries for which people
seek treatment.
• Among all facial injuries, dental injuries are
the most common, of which crown factures
and luxations occur most frequently.
• The most common location is the anterior
maxilla followed by the anterior mandible.
27

28. A traumatic injury in a maxillofacial
region can result in:
- Fractures of the jaws
- Fractures of the teeth
- Soft tissue injuries
- Injuries to vital stuctures
28

29. Management:
Avoid patient movement before
determining extent of trauma
 Airway:
 Chin lift.
 Jaw thrust.
 Manually move the tongue forward.
 Maintain cervical immobilization
29

30.  Hemorrhage control
 Maxillofacial bleeding:
Direct pressure.
Nasal bleeding:
Direct pressure.
Anterior and posterior packing.
30

31. • First aid should be given for the
injuries occurred.
• The patient should be referred to the
nearby higher centres for further diagnosis
and care
31

32. Chest pain
 Includes commonly :
Angina pectoris
Myocardial infarction
32

33. Angina Pectoris
Angina is defined as“a characteristic thoracic
pain, usually substernal; precipitated chiefly
by exercise, emotion, or a heavy meal;
relieved by vasodilator drugs and a few
minutes rest; and a result of moderate
inadequacy of the coronary circulation.”
Produced when myocardial blood supply
cannot be sufficiently increased to meet the
increased oxygen requirement that results
from coronary artery disease.
33

34. Recognize the problem
discontinue dental treatment
P- position patient comfortably
A,B,C –ascess airway, breathing and circulation
Definitive management
34
If history of angina exists
Administer vasodilator and O2
If pain resolves
Consider future dental
treatment modification
Monitor vital signs
No history of angina
Administer O2 and consider
nitroglycerin
Monitor and record

35. Acute Myocardial Infarction
 Myocardial infarction is a clinical
syndrome caused by a deficient coronary
arterial blood supply to a region of
myocardium that results in cellular death
and necrosis.
 The syndrome is usually characterized by
severe and prolonged substernal pain
similar to but more intense and of longer
duration than the angina pectoris.
35

36. Acute myocardial infarction should
be suspected if :
A first episode of chest pain suggestive of
acute MI that occurs either at rest or with
ordinary activity. It may develop during dental
treatment especially if patient is dental
phobic.
Change in previous stable pattern of pain
which may be increased in frequency or
severity.
Chest pain is suggestive of MI in a patient with
known CAD if relieved by rest or nitroglycerin.
36

37. 37
Recognize the problem
(chest pain )
↓
Discontinue the dental treatment
↓
P—position patient comfortably
↓
A→B→C—assess airway, breathing and circulation
↓
D—definitive treatment
presumptive Dx :acute MI
Administer O2, consider nitroglycerin
Administer aspirin
Manage pain(parenteral opoids)
Monitor and record vital signs
Prepare to manage complications(e.g.
cardiac arrest)
Stabilize and transfer to hospital emergency
department
Management
No history of angina
Administer O2 and consider
nitroglycerin
Monitor and record

38. Airway Obstruction
Causes:
• Foreign body (usually food)
• Infection or posttraumatic
hematoma
• Obstruction by the tongue
• Trauma
38

39. Presentation
• Stridor
• Impaired or absent phonation
• Choking and respiratory distress
• Angioedema
• Fever
• Evidence of trauma
39

40. Management
• Is directed at rapid relief of obstruction to prevent
cardiopulmonary arrest and anoxic brain damage.
• Perform the head tilt and chin lift maneuver if
cervical spine trauma is not suspected.
• Perform a jaw thrust if cervical spine trauma is
suspected.
• Attempt to ventilate the patient with a bag-valve-
mask apparatus.
40

41. • Perform the Heimlich maneuver
(subdiaphragmatic abdominal thrust)
repeatedly until the object is expelled
from the airway.
• If the situation cannot be managed, the
patient should be referred to a nearby
hospital or a health post.
41

42. Heimlich maneuver
42

43. 43
If the patient is unconscious:
• Place the patient in supine position.
• Open patient’s airway by using
head tilt chin lift technique.
• Place the heel of one hand against
the victims abdomen in the midline
slightly above the umbilicus & well
below the xiphoid process.
• Place one hand on top of other
hand.
• Press in to the victims abdomen
with quick inward and upward
thrust.

44. Asthma
 A clinical state of hyper
reactivity of the
tracheobronchial tree,
characterized by
recurrent paroxysms of
dyspnea and wheezing
44

45. Signs and symptoms
 Feeling of chest tightness
 Dyspnea
 Tachypnea
 Cough
 Use of Accessory/Respiratory Muscles
 Agitations
45

46. The most likely times for an acute
exacerbation are:
During and immediately after
local anesthetic administration.
With stimulating procedures
such as extraction.
46

47. Management
 Discontinue the dental procedure and allow the
patient to assume a upright position.
 Establish and maintain a patent airway and
administer Beta 2 agonists via inhaler or nebulizer.
 Administer oxygen if possible
 If no improvement is observed and symptoms are
worsening, administer epinephrine subcutaneously
(1:1,000 solution, 0.01 mg/kg of body weight to a
maximum dose of 0.3 mg).
47

48.  Begin diligent basic life support.
 Document in time form the beginning of the
event.
 Alert emergency medical services.
 Maintain a good oxygen level until the
patient stops wheezing and/or medical
assistance arrives.
 Escort patient to hospital as needed.
48

49. MANIFESTATIONS AND
MANAGEMENT OF LOCAL
ANESTHETICS OVERDOSE
49

50. MANIFESTATIONS MANAGEMENT
MILD OVERDOSE Talkativeness,
slurred speech,
anxiety , confusion
Stop administration
of LA
-Monitor all vital
signs
-Observe for 1 hr
MODERATE TOXICITY Slurring speech,
nystagmus,
tremor,headache,
dizziness , blurred
vision,drowsiness
-Stop
administration of
LA
-Place the patient
in supine position
-Monitor vital signs
-Administer oxygen
-Observe in office
for 1 hr
50

51. SEVERE TOXICITY Seizures,
cardiac
arrythymia or
arrest
- Place the patient in
supine positions
- If seizures occur,
protect the patient
from nearby objects.
- Suction the oral
cavity if vomiting
occurs.
- Summon medical
assistance.
-Monitor vital signs.
-Administer oxygen.
-Start I.V infusion.
-Administer diazepam
5-10mg slowly.
-Provide basic life
support.
-Transport to
emergency.
51

52. Epinephrine (vasoconstrictor) overdose
reactions
• Available concentrations are 1:50000,
1:100000, 1:200000.
• The optimal concentration for the
prolongation of anaesthesia with lidocaine is
1:250000.
• Maximal dose:
Healthy adult - 0.2 mg
Cardiac patient - 0.04 mg
52

53. Clinical manifestations:
Signs
- Rise in blood pressure and heart rate
Symptoms
- Anxiety
- Restlessness
- Perspiration
- Dizziness
- Weakness
- Pallor
- Palpitation
53

54. Management
Terminate the dental procedure
Position the patient in upright position
Reassure the patient
Basic life support if indicated
Monitor vital signs
Summon medical assistance
Administer oxygen
54

55. S.N
.
TOXINS /
DRUGS
TOXIC DOSE MANIFESTATI
ONS
MANAGEMENT SPECIFIC
ANTIDOTES
1. Acetaminophe
n
>140mg/kg
or at least
7.5g
Anorexia
Vomiting
Diaphoresis
GI
decontaminati
on
Administration
of activated
charcoal
Acetylcyst
eine
The total
dose is 300
mg/kg,
given as 3
separate
doses
2. Anti-
depressants
(eg:amytryptilli
ne,
desipramine,
imipramine)
20mg/kg
causes few
fatalities
35mg/kg-
approx
lethal dose
>50mg/kg-
likely to
cause
death
Mydriasis
Ileus
Urinary
retention
Hyperpyrexia
GI
decontaminati
on
Gastric lavage
with activated
charcoal
IV sodium
bicarbonate
_
55

56. OPIOIDS
 Although opioids have been used as an
effective analgesic drug,most of the
time,it has been used as an abusive
product.
 Opioid toxicity can result in:
- Respiratory depression
- Depressed level of consciousness
- Miosis
56

57. Treatment
Gastric lavage
Antidote(naloxone hydrochloride,initial dose
of 2 mg IV)
57

58. ALCOHOL
 The toxicity of alcohol is dose related.
 Blood levels >100 mg/dL are associated
with ataxia.
 At 200 mg/dL, patients are drowsy and
confused.
 At levels >400 mg/dL, respiratory
depression is common and death is
possible.
58

59. Treatment
 Administration of 100 mg thiamine IV .
.
 Treat hypoglycaemia with 50 ml of 50%
dextrose solution
 Provide oxygen therapy as needed
59

60. GENERALISED ANAPHYLAXIS
 Acutely life threatening condition.
 Reactions develop rapidly 5-30 minutes.
 Signs and symptoms of generalised anaphylaxis are highly
variable.
Four major clinical syndromes are:
1. Skin reactions
2. Smooth muscle spasm
3. Respiratory distress
4. Cardiovascular collapse
60

61. USUAL PROGRESSION OF ANAPHYLAXIS
Skin
Eye , Nose , GI
Respiratory system
Cardiovascular system
61

62. MANAGEMENT
• Terminate dental procedure & stop
administration of all drugs presently in
use.
• Position the patient comfortably.
• Basic life support as indicated.
• Monitor vital signs.
62

63. Definitive Management
No CVS or respiratory involvement:
- Administration of oral or IM anti-
histamine.
CVS or respiratory involvement:
- Reposition the patient
- Administration of epinephrine
- Administration of anti-histamines
63

64. To conclude….
 The first step in management of dental
emergencies is to prevent their
occurrence
 With proper knowledge medical
emergencies and related complication
can be easily prevented
 “When you prepare for emergency, the
emergency ceases to exist”
64

65. REFERENCES
 Medical Emergencies In The Dental Office - 5th
Edition - Stanley F. Malamed
 Contemporary Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery – 5th
edition- Hupp,Ellis and Tucker
 Internet Sources
65

66. 66