Anesthesia & Medical Emergencies in the Dental Office

As patients become more medically compromised and "fear of the dentist" is at an all time high, offering a patient a more comfortable experience is often indicated. Whether providing local anesthesia to a patient with cardiac problems or offering sedation to a healthy teenager, we must be aware of potential risks and complications that can occur in the dental office. Even those of us offering no anesthesia are open to a medical emergency in the dental office waiting area or operatory. Therefore, being prepared and having a baseline knowledge of medical emergencies is paramount. This presentation will discuss common medical emergencies, prevention, and management.