Assessment of Dentists’ Awareness and Knowledge of Medical Emergencies in Pediatric Dental Care

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.