Focused care of pediatric patients in the dental office

No dental text can adequately prepare the practitioner with the necessary expertise to treat all presentations or office complications that may arise in the therapy of children. There are times when consultation with the child's parent and pediatrician may answer necessary treatment-related questions. Most chronic conditions do not prevent needed treatment interventions. Any acute illness or exacerbation of a chronic disease should be cleared by the primary care physician before commencing dental treatment. The mainstay of safe practice requires that the dentist to maintain a basic level of understanding of what constitutes an emergency and that office staff receive basic training and are adequately supplied with emergency equipment. Dentists are cautioned to consult their state board or dental society as well as their insurance carrier as to what constitutes necessary emergency equipment in the office and to what level they are responsible for providing emergency care to their patients. There is a great difference within the dental field just as there is with medical specialties. All practitioners, however, are liable for any acts of consignment, and although the intention is not to dissuade anyone from providing assistance in an emergency, supportive care and an immediate call of 911 to activate the local EMS are important. In addition, maintaining a familiarity with the local hospital and emergency department capabilities as well as travel time and distance is also important. Routine reviews and updates on life-saving interventions and resuscitations are good general practice and will save lives.