Abstract
Abstract
Objectives: This study aimed to evaluate Turkish dentists' awareness, knowledge, and preparedness regarding medical emergencies encountered during dental treatment in pediatric patients.
Methods: A cross-sectional survey was conducted among 158 dentists using a 20-item questionnaire. The questionnaire assessed demographic characteristics, types of medical emergencies experienced, availability of emergency equipment (e.g.Automated External Defibrillator (AED) , pediatric emergency kits), and self-reported confidence in managing emergencies. The data were analyzed using descriptive statistics, as well as chi-square, Mann-Whitney U, and Kruskal-Wallis tests to examine associations between variables in both intergroup and intragroup analyses.. Statistical significance was set at p < 0.05.
Results: Syncope (40%) was the most frequently reported emergency, followed by asthma attacks (10%) and hypoglycemia (10%). Only 14.6% of dentists knew how to use emergency kits, and 6.3% had access to an AED. Notably, 85.4% lacked pediatric Basic Life Support (BLS) training. Dentists expressed high confidence in managing syncope (mean score: 4.6/5) but low confidence in critical conditions like cardiac arrest (2.9/5). Significant associations were found between professional experience (>20 years) and emergency preparedness (p < 0.05).
Conclusions: The study highlights critical gaps in dentists' preparedness for pediatric medical emergencies, emphasizing the need for mandatory BLS training, age-specific emergency protocols, and improved access to life-saving equipment. These findings call for policy changes in dental education and practice to enhance patient safety.
Keywords
Ethical Statement
The study was conducted in accordance with the Declaration of Helsinki, and approved by the Ethics Committee Approval in Medical Sciences Mugla Sitki Kocman University [Number: 57, Date:21/05/2024].
Supporting Institution
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Project Number
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Thanks
The authors gratefully acknowledge the participation of all colleagues who took part in this study.
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Details
| Primary Language | English |
|---|---|
| Subjects | Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, Paedodontics |
| Journal Section | RA |
| Authors | |
| Project Number | - |
| Publication Date | September 30, 2025 |
| Submission Date | July 5, 2025 |
| Acceptance Date | August 7, 2025 |
| Published in Issue | Year 2025 Volume: 28 Issue: 3 |
Cumhuriyet Dental Journal (Cumhuriyet Dent J, CDJ) is the official publication of Cumhuriyet University Faculty of Dentistry. CDJ is an international journal dedicated to the latest advancement of dentistry. The aim of this journal is to provide a platform for scientists and academicians all over the world to promote, share, and discuss various new issues and developments in different areas of dentistry. First issue of the Journal of Cumhuriyet University Faculty of Dentistry was published in 1998. In 2010, journal's name was changed as Cumhuriyet Dental Journal. Journal’s publication language is English.
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