Office emergencies: an outline of causes, symptoms, and treatment

Conscientious dental practitioners are aware of the increasing chances for medical emergencies to arise in the dental office. New treatment modalities and drugs have increased potential life spans, but have also presented greater responsibilities to the dentist for properly managing these patients. Additionally, widely diversified sources are available to the dentist for acquiring and assembling all necessary information to train his personnel and organize equipment and drugs so he is constantly ready to handle any emergency. We have attempted to give a simple, thorough outline that provides basic information on causes, symptoms, and treatment of major medical emergencies, but that in no way reflects the only means of treating the specific emergency. We feel the manner presented allows one to regiment his diagnosis and treatment rapidly and make modifications to the list as needed.