Do I need to have an AED in my Practice?

The UK Resuscitation Council published a statement in July 2006 referencing the standards of care expected of the full dental team practicing in the UK, covering the management of medical emergencies and resuscitation techniques to be employed. (Medical Emergencies and Resuscitation-Standards for Clinical Practice and Training for Dental Practitioners and Dental Care Professionals in General Dental Practice 2006).

In this document the council reflected on the public perception of the whole dental team being able to deal with any medical emergency which may manifest its self within the dental practice.

The guidelines of the council very clearly state that they advise that an  Automated External Defibrillator should be available in every health care environment and that the dental surgery is NOT seen as an exception to this rule.

Both the public and the GDC expect members of the dental team to be able to deal promptly and effectively with any medical emergency which may occur within the dental setting.

The AED is becoming increasingly regarded as a necessary piece of equipment in both the diagnosis and management of a cardiac arrest both in the perception of the professionals and the public alike.

In the failure to use an AED in the management of a cardiac arrest victim within the dental practice, this may result in a member of the team being challenged if it can be shown that the use of the AED could have favourably influenced the outcome for your patient.

This could also result in criticism of the dental practitioner or a member of the DCP, who had responsibility for the equipping and training of the practice.

The UK Resuscitation Council, clearly and authoritatively give guidance to the dental fraternity as well as the rest of the health field, and the general public, with regards to the use of an AED.

This may well result in the dental professional being challenged where the standard of care offered was different from these guidelines, which are the minimum standard expected by the GDC and the Department of Health alike.

“The standard that you will be judged as a dental professional is that off a reasonable and respected body (e.g. UK Resuscitation Council) would support the treatment and equipment available to deal with the emergency” (Department of Health).    

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