Who Should be Trained in CPR at a Dentist’s Office?

Training is one of the most important components of a successful AED program. And managing sudden cardiac arrest in dental practices is incredibly important. 

Fortunately, licensing boards in nearly every state require that dentists and dental hygienists to maintaining a current CPR or Basic Life Support (BLS) certification. 

ADA Training Recommendations

According to the American Dental Association (ADA) “Dentists, through their academic, clinical and continuing education, should be familiar with the prevention, diagnosis, and management of common emergencies. In addition, they should provide appropriate training to their staff so that each person knows what to do and can act promptly.”

The ADA also recommends annual reviews and suggests conducting mock emergencies to help your staff become more confident in their roles when a real emergency occurs. 

State Requirement for CPR Training in Dental Offices

AED and CPR legislation varies widely from state to state. Over 20 states have legislation regarding the use of AEDs in dental offices but only a handful of states such as Arizona, Georgia, Massachusetts, New York, Tennessee, and Texas, require CPR training or Basic Life Support (BLS) certification. 

Cardiac Partners’ CPR Recommendations for Dentists

It shouldn’t come as a surprise, but we think everyone who works in your dental practice should be first aid, CPR, and AED certified. According to the American Heart Association, more than 350,000 out-of-hospital cardiac arrests occur each year and nearly 90% of people who experience SCA die. However, when confidently and quickly performed, CPR can dramatically improve survival odds, and nothing helps people feel more confident using an AED in an emergency than training on how to use an AED and practicing using an AED trainer.

Is Your Dental Team Ready to Respond to Cardiac Arrest?

Dentists, dental hygienists, dental assistants, and other team members must be prepared to respond to patients who experience cardiac arrest. In addition to a well-rehearsed emergency response plan, dentists should invest in a fully-stocked AED dental package that includes:

• AED wall cabinet
• AED
• Adult and pediatric pads
• AED Case
• Spare AED battery
• Rescue ready kit
• AED Decal and signage
• Check tag

To learn more about our AED packages for dental offices or to purchase an AED, visit AED.com or call Cardio Partners at 800-544-0004. You can also email us at customerservice@cardiopartners.com.

DISCLAIMER: The information included in this post and on our website is not intended as legal advice. As legislation changes often, this post may inadvertently contain inaccurate or incomplete information. We urge you to contact your state representative should you require more information about current AED, CPR, and Good Samaritan laws in your state.