Medical Emergencies for Dental Hygienest

Course Description

The dental team is presented with the challenges of providing dental treatment to the aging population and the medically compromised patient which increases the risk for encountering medical emergencies. When an emergency occurs, it is vital that all members of the dental team are prepared to respond effectively. This course will discuss the most common medical emergencies encountered in the dental office, the equipment every dental office should have, and the team approach to managing an emergency in the dental office.

This course is only offered online/Zoom live webinars.

Course Objectives

The participant should be able to do the following in this continued education course:

1. Anticipate common medical emergencies which may be manifest during a dental appointment and take appropriate preventive measures,
2. Discuss related legal issues associate with medical emergencies,
3. Discuss and recognize early warning signs of a variety of potential medical emergencies,
4. Discuss and initiate appropriate emergency responses to common medical emergencies.

Course Location

This course is only offered online/Zoom live webinars.

Course Fee

Tuition: $80

Tuition is payable via check or credit card to MedQuest College – Please call 502-242-0068 to make payment. Tuition includes a continental breakfast, lunch, all needed materials for the course, and the certificate of completion, granted the student passes all course requirements. *Tuition must be received a minimum of one week prior to the course date. Pre-registration is always required.

Refund Policy

A full refund, less a $50 processing fee, will be issued for all cancellations at least one week prior to the course date. Refunds cannot be given for cancellations within one week or after the course starting date. Please note that a request must be received via email before a refund may be processed.

Schedule 

Outline below is the expected course lecture.

Course Lecture: 3 Hours

Introduction

1. The Kentucky State Practice Act Requirement
2. ASA Classifications

Prevention

1. Physical Evaluation
2. Medical history
3. Consultation/referral
4. Risk factors for the occurrence of untoward events
5. Emotional Evaluation
6. Stress Reduction

Planning and Preparation

1. Office organization
2. Staff training in CPR
3. Emergency equipment/kits

Medical-Legal Considerations

1. Employee-employer (agency)
2. Records
3. Health History
4. Timely Treatment (duty to provide)
5. Abandonment
6. Negligence (duty, breach, damages, proximate cause)

Recognition/Management of Specific Emergencies

1. Cardiovascular problems
2. Syncope
3. Postural hypotension
4. Supine hypotension
5. Angina pectoris
6. Myocardial infarction
7. Respiratory Problems
8. Airway obstruction
9. Respiratory depression
10. COPD
11. Neurological
12. Hyperventilation
13. Seizures
14. CVA
15. Hypersensitivity Reactions
16. Mild
17. Severe
18. Cardiac Arrest/CPR
19. Endocrine Emergencies
20. Diabetes Mellitus: Hyperglycemia and Hypoglycemia
21. Thyroid Dysfunction

Course Presenters

Course Director: Mr. Garrett B. Westerfield, RDH, MAE
Mr. Westerfield is the Dental Hygiene Clinic Lead at MedQuest College. Mr. Westerfield graduated from the University of Louisville with a Bachelor of Science in Dental Hygiene. Mr. Westerfield practiced clinical dental hygiene for a number of years in the Louisville and Lexington areas, and still actively works throughout the year. He was an adjunct faculty at ATA College where he taught Orofacial Anatomy. Mr. Westerfield earned his Master of Arts in Adult Education from Western Kentucky University. He worked full-time as the Clinic Coordinator at Bluegrass Community & Technical College prior to joining MedQuest College’s Dental Hygiene Program. Mr. Westerfield is the course director for Microbiology, Chemistry & Biochemistry, Interpersonal Communications, Head & Neck Anatomy, Dental Anatomy & Histology, General & Oral Pathology, Pre-Clinical Dental Hygiene, Dental Materials, Pain Management, and all clinical courses. He holds an active Kentucky dental hygiene license, and is certified in local anesthesia and nitrous oxide, laser debridement, and holds general supervision privileges. Mr. Westerfield is a member of the American Dental Hygienists’ Association and currently serves as the President for the Kentucky Dental Hygienists’ Association.

– These courses are not included in MedQuest College’s ABHES grant of accreditation.