Medical Emergencies for the Dental Office

Target Audience: This course is encouraged for all members of the dental team. One of the most important aspects of preparing for medical emergencies in the dental office is the role of each office member. Everyone should be prepared regardless of their position in the office and we look forward to seeing all office staff involved!

Course Description: Medical emergencies can happen anytime and to anyone present in the dental office: patients, staff or the dentist as well as family or friends who came to the office with the patient. Having appropriate systems in place can mean the difference between surviving a catastrophic event and having an unfortunate outcome. Most emergency courses discuss what to do when an emergency happens…but what about preventing it in the first place? This course will discuss the importance of preparation including the importance of patient assessment and the incorporation of strategies to prevent emergencies from happening! Assessing and managing your patient’s stress and having systems in place to diminish stress are the best approaches to preventing a medical emergency in the dental office. Dr. Caputo will also discuss the areas which are considered vital to a proper understanding of emergency medicine: prevention, preparation, recognition and management. You should leave the course with a strong understanding of how to prevent medical emergencies through proper patient evaluation and preparation and how to efficiently manage an emergency through early recognition and treatment.

Course Objectives: Following the course, participants should be able to;

1. Know how to complete a thorough Medical History intake
• Anxiety Assessment
• Dialogue History
• Medical Consultation
2. Understand the team approach to patient care
• Office environment
• Staff assignments
• Staff preparation
• Response protocol
• Equipment and supplies
• Mock drills
3. Know the three main principles of emergency management

• Prevention
• Early recognition
• Treatment

1. Know the basic algorithm for emergency response- PABCD

Anthony Caputo:

Biography: Dr. Caputo graduated with honors from the University of Colorado Health Sciences Center, School of Dentistry and then pursued residency training in Hospital Dentistry at UCLA followed by Anesthesiology at the University of Pittsburgh, School of Dental Medicine. Dr. Caputo has a private practice limited to anesthesia providing office-based care for pediatric and adult patients. He is a Diplomat of the American Dental Board of Anesthesiology and the National Dental Board of Anesthesiology. Dr. Caputo is a Fellow of the American College of Dentists and the International College of Dentists. Additionally, he teaches local anesthesia and pain control at the Arizona School of Dentistry and Oral Health and Missouri School of Dentistry and Oral Health. He is Teaching Faculty for AEGD and Pediatric Dentistry residents at El Rio Health Center in Tucson, Winslow Indian Health Care Center and ASDOH. He is a sedation and anesthesia evaluator for the Arizona State Board of Dental Examiners and has served on the Anesthesia Committee for the Board as well as an Anesthesia expert for the Board. Dr. Caputo is a Past President of the American Society of Dentist Anesthesiologists. He serves as an Arizona Delegate to the ADA as well as Speaker of the House for the Arizona Dental Association. Dr. Caputo currently serves as the ADA Spokesperson for Anesthesia and recognized anesthesia expert.

Anthony Charles Caputo, DDS, PC, FACD, FICD, DADBA, DNDBA
Dentist Anesthesiologist and President, Southwest Dental Anesthesia Services
Fellow, American College of Dentists
Fellow, International College of Dentists
Diplomat, American Dental Board of Anesthesiology
Diplomat, National Dental Board of Anesthesiology

Schedule: