MEDICAL EMERGENCIES ENCOUNTERED IN DENTAL CLINICS IN NORTHERN BIHAR, INDIA.

Abstract

Objectives: Medical emergencies in the dental clinic, though relatively infrequent, remain a critical concern due to their unpredictable nature and potential for serious consequences. The present study was to evaluate the the medical emergencies encountered in various dental clinics in northern Bihar, India. Methods: Self-administered questionnaires were distributed to randomly selected sample of 140 dentists working in private and government dental clinics. Dentists from different district of the northern Bihar were approached, and at least two visits were made to achieve a maximum response rate. Dental practitioners with <2 year of clinical experience were excluded from the study. Results: Out of 140 dentists, 100 returned the completed questionnaires yielding a response rate of 71.43%. out of 100 respondent dentists, the average age of the respondents was approximately 33 ± 8.42 years. Male (62%) respondents were greater than female (38%) respondents. It was highly statistically significant differenced (p=0.0007). Average experience of the dentists in clinical practice was 8.6 ± 6.5 years. 61(61%) of dentists reported having encountered any medical emergency in their clinics. Out of 61 dentists who reported medical emergency. Among them, Vasovagal syncope was encountered by 33(54.09%) and hypoglycemia (45.09%) were the most common emergency. A total of 104 medical emergencies were encountered. Oxygen (80%), adrenaline (75%) and glucose (72%) were the most common emergency kit found in dental clinic. 55.74% had handled the emergency cases themselves, 31.15% had consulted a physician. 11% of the dentists were the excellent knowledge of CPR. 36% and 39% were very good and fair knowledge of CPR. Conclusions: A proper standard operating procedure (SOPs) should be prepared and followed in all dental set-up. And all the dentist should have to be trained and updated their norms from time to time. Periodic seminars and hands-on workshops should have to be conducted to get both theoretical and practical knowledge about the management of emergency situations.