All dental professionals are required to undertake regular first aid for dentists training in areas such as CPR and Medical Emergencies in order to protect their patients. Dental Practice owners have a further legal responsibility to ensure that their employees receive immediate medical attention if they are taken ill or injured on the Practice premises.
Responding appropriately to illness and injury can prevent a minor situation becoming a major one and in the worst case scenario can mean the difference between life and death.
What legislation and regulations do dental practices need to comply with?
The General Dental Council (GDC) – this is the UK-wide statutory regulator of dental services and one of its primary requirements for dental professionals is that they keep their skills up to date through continuing professional development (CPD).
The Resuscitation Council (UK) – responsible for the Quality Standards for CPR Practise and Training in primary dental care.
The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) – the national regulator for workplace health and safety.
Care Quality Commission – the independent regulator of all health and social care services in England including dental practices
What First Aid courses do dentists and dental care professionals need to do?
CPR and Medical Emergencies
The GDC has identified Medical Emergencies training as one of three highly recommended topics to be completed as part of the minimum verifiable Continuing Professional Development (CPD) requirement.
Our 3 hour CPR and Medical Emergencies course covers everything you need to know to manage a medical emergency in your dental practice including:
• Basic Life Support (BLS)
• Use of an AED
• Choking
• Management of acute anaphylaxis
• Use of Emergency Equipment (oxygen, airway adjuncts and drugs)
• Cardiac Arrest Rhythms
• Recognising and responding appropriately to asthma, diabetes, fainting, epilepsy and myocardial infarction
How often do I need to update CPR and Medical Emergencies training?
The GDC recommend that 10 hours in every CPD cycle is dedicated to medical emergency for dentist training with at least two hours of CPD in this topic every year.
CPR training for dentists should be updated annually in line with Resuscitation Council (UK) guidelines.
Does this course count towards Verifiable CPD?
Yes, this course qualifies for 3 hours of Verifiable CPD
What other courses do Dentists need to take?
Dental Immediate Life Support (DILS)
This course is for registered dental professionals who undertake conscious sedation as part of their role. The Dental Immediate Life Support course (covering both adults and paediatrics) is designed to meet the core competencies set by the Standards for Conscious Sedation in the Provision of Dental Care.
This course has been designed in line with the guidelines from the Resuscitation Council (UK), NICE, the Royal College of Physicians, the Standards for Conscious Sedation in the Provision of Dental Care.
How often do I need to update DILS training?
DILS training should be updated annually in line with Resuscitation Council (UK) guidelines.
Does this course count towards Verifiable CPD?
Yes, this course qualifies for 6 hours of Verifiable CPD
Emergency First Aid at Work
To comply with Health and Safety at Work legislation, dental practice owners should carry out an assessment of first aid needs to determine whether they need to have a qualified first aider.
Typically, dental practices will have at least one member of staff on site who has completed a 1 day Emergency First Aid at Work (EFAW) course. This course can be combined with CPR and Medical Emergencies training.
How often do I need to update EFAW training?
EFAW training should be refreshed every 3 years. The HSE strongly recommends annual CPR updates in the intervening years.
Does this course count towards Verifiable CPD?
Yes, this course qualifies for 6 hours of Verifiable CPD
Who delivers Safe and Sound First Aid training?
Safe and Sound trainers are qualified paramedics and nurses with extensive experience in emergency medical care.
What other courses do Safe and Sound have for dentists?
We have a range of excellent Verifiable CPD core training packages saving you time and money. Topics we can combine include: CPR and Medical Emergencies, Emergency First Aid at Work, Infection Control, Fire Safety, Safeguarding, Health and Safety and Manual Handling.
Click here to find out more about our pick and mix flexible training packages.
Do Safe and Sound certificates comply with GDC Enhanced CPD requirements?
Yes, on successful completion of a Safe and Sound course you will receive a certificate that complies fully with GDC Enhanced CPD requirements.
Can I do the courses at my dental practice?
Yes, we will be delighted to come and run a course at your practice. Just click the Book Course button to give us your preferred dates and we will get that arranged for you. We can facilitate course in your practice UK wide.
As part of the service, your instructor will check your emergency drugs kit to check that everything is in order and that you are confident in using it.
Can I attend an Open course?
Yes, if you are an individual dental professional you can book onto a scheduled CPR and Medical Emergencies course at our venue in Holborn. Courses take place once a month from 09.00-12.30.
If you have the time, why not stay for the afternoon session to complete the Emergency First Aid at Work course. That way you will receive 2 nationally recognised certificates.
To check availability and book your place click here.
If you have any questions or would like to discuss training for your dental practice please don’t hesitate to contact us on 020 8445 8998 .
