Measuring the Level of Medical-Emergency-Related Knowledge among Senior Dental Students and Clinical Trainers

Abstract

Objectives: This study aimed to measure the level of medical-emergency-related knowledge among senior dental students and clinical trainers in Saudi Arabia. Methods: This cross-sectional pilot survey was conducted at Taibah Dental College, Madina, Saudi Arabia between March 2017 and November 2018. Two hundred and seventy-five self-administered anonymous questionnaires on the management of common medical emergencies were distributed to all senior dental students and clinical trainers at Taibah Dental College. Results: There was a serious lack of knowledge regarding the management of medical emergency scenarios among the participants. Only 54% of participants knew the correct management for some frequent and life-threating conditions such as “crushed chest pain”, and only 30–35% of participants knew the correct management of deeply sedated patients with benzodiazepine overdose and crisis of hypoadrenalism. Moderate-quality knowledge (50–74% of participants responded correctly) was noted for the following conditions: sudden onset of brain stroke, psychiatric patient, unconscious patient with hypoglycemia, patient with postural hypotension, and patient with hyperventilation. Based on the scale of knowledge, there were significant differences in the level of knowledge between clinical trainers, senior dental students, and junior dental students (p ≤ 0.01). Almost all students and 90% of trainers declared the need for further training. Conclusions: The overall knowledge regarding the management of medical emergency crises in the dental chair was moderate. However, the scale of knowledge regarding the management of medical emergency crises has gradually increased with the number of years of experience. Most participants recognize the need for further training.

A Comparison of Pre-Emptive Co-Amoxiclav, Postoperative Amoxicillin, and Metronidazole for Prevention of Postoperative Complications in Dentoalveolar Surgery: A Randomized Controlled Trial

“…Therefore, there is an association between the frequency of smoking cigarettes and the incidence of dry socket. Smoking increases the temperature of the mouth and causes dehydration at the extraction site, which in turn increases the possibility of a blood clot separating from extraction site and exposing the bone socket [ 1 , 5 , 14 , 15 ]. The same damage occurs when traumatic surgical extractions perform by using high speeds to remove the bone or separate the roots of the teeth [ 1 , 16 ].…”

Assessment of Preparedness of Dental Graduates and Postgraduates in the Management of Medical Emergencies

“…So it is without question that the practitioner should be well prepared and equipped. The management of such an emergency depends on various factors, the most important ones being the severity of the condition and the preparedness of the dental practitioner (3). The preparedness of the dental personnel includes but is not limited to the acquired theoretical knowledge, and the core skills such as the ability to perform Cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR), secure intravenous (IV) access and use AMBU (artificial manual breathing unit) bag.…”

Perception of Dental House Officers Regarding the Management of Medical Emergencies in CMH Lahore Medical College & IOD

“…13,14 Numerous research focused on the most frequently happening medical emergencies in dental clinics and the ability of the practitioners to deal with them. 15 The literature lacks information on how prepared dental house surgeons are to deal with medical emergencies. The purpose of conducting this study is to assess the knowledge, attitude, experience, and perception of managing medical emergencies in dental clinics among dental house officers at the Institute of Dentistry, CMH Lahore Medical College.…”