Knowledge, Attitude and Perspective on Management of Medical Emergencies Among Undergraduate Dental Students

Any dental professional can encounter an emergency during the course of their treatment. Every dental specialist should have the knowledge to identify and manage a potentially life threatening situation. Dental professionals are expected to provide safe and painless dental procedures when they complete their education from dental college. The aim of the study was to observe the knowledge, attitude, and perspective on the management of medical emergencies among undergraduate dental students. This survey was taken in an online forum, survey planet. The questionnaire regarding the knowledge of dental students about medical emergencies was distributed. The results were statistically analyzed and presented using SPSS software. Hundred (100) students participated in this survey out of which 82% of the dental students confessed that before commencing any treatment they note the medical history and drug allergy history of patients. Around 66% of the dental students confessed that they check the vital signs of patients before the commencement of treatments, dental procedures in dental college follow up these protocols for patients only with any systemic disease and it is seen that it was not a part of many of dental colleges routine checkup. The majority of the participants (79%) confessed that they were aware of how to manage chest pain and anaphylaxis. 90% of the dental students have answered that they were aware of the medical emergency drugs used in dental clinics. A better knowledge of medical emergencies will ensure safer dental healthcare services for the population. The study showed deficiencies in the way that dentists are trained to deal with medical emergencies and identified a need for improvement.