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

Sema Nur Sevinç Gül; Alparslan Dilsiz; Ismayil Huseynli

Article Details

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

Authors:

Sema Nur Sevinç Gül | Alparslan Dilsiz | Ismayil Huseynli

Publisher:

Mersin University

Main Topics:

Koruyucu Sağlık Hizmetleri | Tıp Eğitimi

Journal:

Mersin Üniversitesi Tıp Fakültesi Lokman Hekim Tıp Tarihi ve Folklorik Tıp Dergisi Vol.15 Issue 3, pp.1058-1068

Document Type:

Article

Publication Date:

9/2025

Document Language:

English

Document ID (Org No.):

2001359179

pISSN:

1309-8004

Keywords:

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.

 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.

 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.

 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.

Article Details

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

Authors:

Sema Nur Sevinç Gül | Alparslan Dilsiz | Ismayil Huseynli

Publisher:

Mersin University

Main Topics:

Koruyucu Sağlık Hizmetleri | Tıp Eğitimi

Journal:

Mersin Üniversitesi Tıp Fakültesi Lokman Hekim Tıp Tarihi ve Folklorik Tıp Dergisi Vol.15 Issue 3, pp.1058-1068

Document Type:

Article

Publication Date:

9/2025

Document Language:

English

Document ID (Org No.):

2001359179

pISSN:

1309-8004

Medical Emergencies

Emergency Medical Services

Education

Dental Professional CompetenceTıbbi Acil Durumlar

Acil Tıbbi Hizmetler

Eğitim

Diş Hekimliği Mesleki Yeterliliği

Issues

Article Details

Authors: Sema Nur Sevinç Gül | Alparslan Dilsiz | Ismayil Huseynli

Publisher: Mersin University

Main Topics: Koruyucu Sağlık Hizmetleri | Tıp Eğitimi

Journal: Mersin Üniversitesi Tıp Fakültesi Lokman Hekim Tıp Tarihi ve Folklorik Tıp Dergisi Vol.15 Issue 3, pp.1058-1068

Document Type: Article

Publication Date: 9/2025

Document Language: English

Document ID (Org No.): 2001359179

pISSN: 1309-8004

Issues

Authors:

Sema Nur Sevinç Gül | Alparslan Dilsiz | Ismayil Huseynli

Publisher:

Mersin University

Main Topics:

Koruyucu Sağlık Hizmetleri | Tıp Eğitimi

Journal:

Mersin Üniversitesi Tıp Fakültesi Lokman Hekim Tıp Tarihi ve Folklorik Tıp Dergisi Vol.15 Issue 3, pp.1058-1068

Document Type:

Article

Publication Date:

9/2025

Document Language:

English

Document ID (Org No.):

2001359179

pISSN:

1309-8004