The Knowledge and Practice of Dentists about Medical Emergency in Private Dental Offices

In order to get ready for medical emergencies, sufficient scientific knowledge, suitable facilities and emergency drugs are necessary. This study aimed to investigate the emergency facilities, drugs and the knowledge of dentists about emergency cases in dental offices of Kerman in 1386.This is cross-sectional and descriptive study using questioners. Some active dental offices were selected and the questioners were given to them. The completed forms were gathered. The data were extracted and analyzed by t- test, fisher, x2, using SPSS13.5 statistical program. In the present study, 101 dentists were enrolled. 25 dentists, (24.7%) had emergency cases in their office, and the most prevalent case was vasodepressor syncope. The mean knowledge of the dentist was 5.89 ± 1.39. 76.2% of the dentists expressed that they ask the patients about their medical emergency history. This study shows that the knowledge and information of dentists enhance with an increase in working hours, and decrease with an increase usage and wok experience. Also, it is found that the most prevalent drugs used in dental office as emergency drugs were oxygen and nitroglycerine tablets. This study indicates that some emergency events take place in dental offices in Kerman as in many other countries but, unfortunately, there is not sufficient equipment and facilities to deal with these emergency cases. The present condition can be improved with teaching in universities, holding some educational workshops and preparation of pamphlets.