Learning Outcomes

Upon completion of this continuing education course, the learner will be able to:

• Discuss why there is need for dental hygiene practitioners to know how to prevent medical emergencies and what to do should they arise.
  
  
• Identify precautionary steps that may prevent medical emergencies from occurring.
  
  
• Describe how dental hygiene practitioners and the dental office can be prepared in the event a medical emergency arises.
  
  
• List information that should be provided in the event EMS must be summoned.
  
  
• Delineate immediate and common management steps to be taken for most emergency situations.
  
  
• Provide a brief pathophysiology, signs and symptoms, and prevention and emergency procedures for the following specific conditions:

  Vasodepressor syncope
  Orthostatic hypotension
  Acute adrenal insufficiency
  Hyperventilation
  Asthma
  Heart failure and acute pulmonary edema
  Cerebrovascular accident
  Seizure
  Hyperglycemia
  Hypoglycemia
  Myocardial infarction
  Angina pectoris
  Anaphylaxis
  
  Assessment Method: Post-test only