Emergency Management Readiness of Pakistani Dentists at Public Sector Teaching Hospitals

Authors

  • Syed Jaffar Abbas Zaidi Dow University of Health Sciences
  • Abdul Hafeez Shaikh
  • Shakeel Kazmi
  • Muhtada Ahmad
  • Ashar Afaq
  • Afsheen Mansoor

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.36283/PJMD11-1/013

Keywords:

Medical emergencies, Dental Clinics, Readiness

Abstract

Background: Medical emergencies during dental treatment need to be appropriately equipped to deal with multiple chronic diseases in medically compromised patients. A well-prepared dental team can prevent stress-related medical emergencies. The objective of this study was to evaluate the readiness of dentists in managing medical emergencies, while comparing between postgraduate interns and registered dental graduates, working at a public sector hospital.

Methods: The study was conducted in three constituent dental colleges and affiliated hospitals of Dow University of Health Sciences situated in Karachi from January-March 2021. A 28-item validated questionnaire was piloted and designed to assess 250 dentists and interns in managing medical emergencies. For data analysis, responses of a three-point Likert scale related to knowledge was used, while a dichotomous scale was used for diagnosis and management and a p-value less than 0.05 was considered significant.

Results: Out of 250 dentists, 208(83%) responded to the questionnaire. Most of the participants 200(96%) of the participants were taking medical histories and 149(87%) were routinely taking vital signs before dental treatment. We found that 62(42%) lacked adequate training for managing medical emergencies. Dental interns had more experience to deal with medical emergencies and were better prepared than general dentists.

Conclusion: Most of the participants lacked training in medical emergencies encountered in dental clinics. Concrete measures are needed to address this issue at a national level. Evidence-based recommendations, regular training, drills, and certification are needed to prepare the future dentist to deal with medical emergencies.

Keywords: Emergencies; Dental Clinics; Hospitals.

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Published

2024-05-16

How to Cite

1.
Zaidi SJA, Shaikh AH, Kazmi S, Ahmad M, Afaq A, Mansoor A. Emergency Management Readiness of Pakistani Dentists at Public Sector Teaching Hospitals. PJMD [Internet]. 2024 May 16 [cited 2024 Nov. 10];11(1):78-84. Available from: https://ojs.zu.edu.pk/pjmd/article/view/1264

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