Dentists knowledge of lipid treatment of local anaesthetic systemic toxicity

: Local anesthetics (LAs) are in widespread use by dental practitioners, and erroneous administration, such as intravenously or exceeding the maximum dose, can cause the life-threatening condition of local anesthetic systemic toxicity (LAST).

The objective of the present study was evaluate the ability of dentists to recognize signs of LAST and quantify how often they have used lipids to treat LAST in dentistry patients.

The study administered 600 questionnaires that asked about the frequency with which dentists encountered LAST and the symptoms of LAST and its treatment, especially with lipids.

The results showed that 520 (86.66%) respondents had never seen LAST, and 404 (67.3%) had no idea about lipid treatment. In addition, 128 (21.3%) had heard about lipid treatment but had inadequate knowledge of it and 59 (9.8%) had read an article about lipid treatment, but only 9 (1.5%) knew how to use lipid treatment. Finally, 80 (13.33%) participants had seen LAST but had used a treatment other than lipids.

Dentists and all facilities using LA must be aware of LAST, and knowledge of lipid treatment must be increased by education. Twenty percent lipid solutions must be kept handy in their offices by dentists.