- High volume suction for clearing the airways of saliva, debris, and blood. This
must be capable of reaching the floor as a patient may be removed from the dental
chair to lie on the floor to enable resuscitation. - An emergency supply of oxygen. A regular working supply of oxygen from an
inhalation sedation unit is an alternative. - Positive pressure ventilation apparatus with a self-inflating bag.
- Face masks to fit children and adolescents.
- Three sizes of oral airways.
Note: These items should form part of an armamentarium of any dentist when treating
patients using local anaesthesia alone.
4.7.4 Emergency drugs
Suitable emergency drugs must be available and because of the need for speed, the
drugs must be stored with the emergency equipment. Training of the dental surgeon
and their staff in the use of drugs has the same requirements as for equipment. The
nature and content of 'emergency drugs' kits are usually determined by a local
resuscitation adviser.
4.7.5 Emergency drugs for the dental surgeon
The following are drugs that the dentist should be prepared to use in an emergency:
- Oxygen.
- Adrenaline hydrochloride 1 mg/ml (1000 mg/ml), that is, 1 : 1000 on a 1 ml
ampoule for subcutaneous or intramuscular injection. The IMS Min-I-Jet system is
particularly quick and easy to use. - Hydrocortisone sodium phosphate 100 mg per vial. To be made up to 1 ml with
physiological saline immediately before use. For intravenous injection. - In addition to the above drugs suitable needles and syringes should be available to
enable drugs to be drawn up and administered parenterally. - Flumazenil (benzodiazepine anatagonist) for reversing unexpected over-sedation
from orally, intravenously, or rectally administered benzodiazepine.
4.7.6 Emergency equipment for medically qualified and those staff trained in
advanced life support
- A laryngoscope, endotracheal tubes, and forceps to manipulate the endotracheal
tubes during intubation. - A cricothyrotomy kit.