Medical Emergency Management in Dental Clinics: A Cross-Sectional Assessment of Knowledge, Attitudes, and Practices

Abstract

Objective: This study aimed to assess dentists’ knowledge, attitudes, practices, and self-confidence regarding medical emergencies, as well as to determine the frequency, types, and severity of such events encountered in dental settings. Additionally, the availability of essential emergency equipment and drugs, dentists’ preparedness levels, and prior training experiences were evaluated. Methods: A cross-sectional survey was conducted among 120 dentists using a previously validated and reliable questionnaire. The survey assessed demographic characteristics, clinical experience, prior encounters with medical emergencies, availability of equipment, and perceived self-efficacy. Frequency analyses and association tests were employed to examine the relationships between encountering medical emergencies, training background, and equipment availability. Results: Within the past 12 months, hypoglycemia (32.5%) emerged as the most frequently reported emergency, surpassing vasovagal syncope (25.8%), which is commonly emphasized in the literature. Dentists who reported serious medical emergencies also indicated higher levels of equipment availability and prior exposure to minor emergencies. Among those who had witnessed cardiac arrest, the majority (80%) had not received postgraduate training, and none (100%) had used a defibrillator. Oxygen use (27.5%) showed a strong association with prior training during undergraduate education. Conclusion: The findings highlight significant variability in emergency preparedness among dentists. Continuous, hands-on training and standardized emergency protocols are crucial for enhancing clinical competence and improving patient safety in dental practice

Keywords

• Medical Emergencies
• Emergency Medical Services
• Education
• Dental Professional Competence

Diş Hekimliği Kliniklerinde Tıbbi Acil Durum Yönetimi: Bilgi, Tutum ve Uygulamaların Kesitsel Bir Değerlendirmesi

Abstract

Amaç: Bu çalışmanın amacı, diş hekimlerinin tıbbi acil durumlara ilişkin bilgi, tutum, uygulama ve öz güven düzeylerini değerlendirmek; diş hekimliği kliniklerinde karşılaşılan acil durumların sıklığını, türlerini ve ciddiyetini belirlemektir. Ayrıca hekimler arasında hazırlık düzeyleri, gerekli acil durum ekipman ve ilaçlarının bulunabilirliği ile eğitim geçmişleri incelenmiştir. Gereç ve Yöntem: Geçerliliği ve güvenilirliği daha önce kanıtlanmış bir anket formu kullanılarak 120 diş hekimi arasında kesitsel bir araştırma yürütülmüştür. Anket; katılımcıların demografik özelliklerini, klinik deneyimlerini, geçmiş acil durum deneyimlerini, mevcut ekipman varlığını ve algılanan öz yeterlilik düzeylerini değerlendirmiştir. Acil durumlarla karşılaşma ile eğitim geçmişi veya ekipman bulunabilirliği arasındaki ilişkiler sıklık analizleri ve istatistiksel ilişki testleri ile incelenmiştir. Bulgular: Son 12 ayda en sık bildirilen acil durum, literatürde yaygın olarak görülen vazovagal senkopun (%25,8) önüne geçerek hipoglisemi (%32,5) olmuştur. Ciddi acil durumlara tanık olan diş hekimleri, daha yüksek düzeyde ekipman bulunabilirliği ve daha önce küçük acil durumlara maruziyet bildirmiştir. Kalp durması vakasına tanık olanların önemli bir kısmı (%80) lisansüstü eğitim almamış, tamamı (%100) defibrilatör kullanmamıştır. Oksijen kullanım oranı (%27,5), özellikle lisans eğitimi sırasında alınan önceki eğitimle güçlü bir ilişki göstermiştir. Sonuç: Bulgular, diş hekimleri arasında acil durum hazırlığında önemli farklılıklar olduğunu ortaya koymaktadır. Sürekli, uygulamalı eğitim ve standart acil durum protokolleri, klinik yeterliliği artırmak ve diş hekimliği pratiğinde hasta güvenliğini artırmak için olmazsa olmazdır.

Keywords

• Tıbbi Acil Durumlar
• Acil Tıbbi Hizmetler
• Eğitim
• Diş Hekimliği Mesleki Yeterliliği

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