Question

A medical emergency can happen at any time, so it is important for the dental assistant to:

A) Ignore potential emergencies and focus on routine tasks.
B) Rely solely on the dentist to handle emergencies.
C) Be prepared and trained to respond to medical emergencies.
D) Evacuate the dental office during emergencies.

Answer 1

The dental assistant needs to be prepared and trained to respond to medical emergencies.

Step-by-step explanation:

The correct answer is C) Be prepared and trained to respond to medical emergencies.

In the dental field, as in any medical setting, it is crucial for dental assistants to be prepared and trained to handle medical emergencies. While their primary role may be assisting the dentist with routine dental procedures, they must also be equipped to handle unexpected emergencies that could occur during treatment.

For example, a dental assistant should be trained in basic life support (BLS) techniques such as cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) and automated external defibrillator (AED) use. This training allows them to provide immediate assistance if a patient experiences a cardiac arrest or other life-threatening event.