Ability of managing medical emergencies in dental setting among the interns and faculty of a dental college in Mangalore

Abstract

Aim: To explore the perceptions, concerns, and experiences of interns and staff after their accident and emergency posting in a dental institution. Objective: •z To evaluate the knowledge and awareness of Medical emergencies among the interns and staff in a dentainstitution. •z To comparatively evaluate the knowledge and awareness of Medical emergencies among the staff and interns of the institution. Material and Method: A cross sectional questionnaire study was conducted in a DCI (Dental Council of India) recognized college. The data was collected using questionnaire method regarding the awareness and knowledge of medical emergencies among the interns and staff of a dental institution. Data Collection: Questionnaires were introduced to the participants regarding the awareness and knowledge of medical emergencies after obtaining the informed consent. 155 questionnaires were distributed to the respondents of a dental college were included for this study. Statistical Analysis: Descriptive statistics were tabulated. Chi-square tests were applied for this study. Results: Only 53.2% among the staff respondents had attended a training program in BLS, whereas 86.6% of the interns had attended a training program in BLS. All the interns (100%) knew about the abbreviation of BLS. 96.8% of the staff aimed at the need of BLS training in the dental curriculum. 95.1% of the interns, and 88.7% of the staff were able to provide the right option on the signs of airway obstruction. 90.2% of the interns and 77.4% of the staff gave the right option of head tilt-chin lift maneuver to open the airway during obstruction. Conclusion: Awareness of BLS among the staff and interns was not upto the mark, and hence it is now essential to make it mandatory in the field of dentistry for both undergraduate and postgraduate curricula.