A survey of medical emergencies in dental practice in India

Methods: A drop-off questionnaire survey was done utilizing a validated questionnaire among 87 dental practitioners.

Results: The mean duration of the practice of the respondents was 8.1 years. An emergency event was reported on average for every 1.4 practice years of the dental practitioners. Half the drugs necessary and recommended to be available in every dental practice were not available in the practice of most of the respondents. Only 47% of the dental practitioners had received training in the management of medical emergencies at some time.

Conclusion: There is a perceived need for further training among majority of the respondents.