Course Overview:
This course provides dental professionals with essential knowledge and confidence to respond effectively to a cardiac arrest within the dental setting. Following Resuscitation Council (UK) guidance, learners will understand the role of Automated External Defibrillators (AEDs) in saving lives, how to ensure AED readiness, and how to integrate AED use with CPR during a real emergency.
Aims
- To ensure dental professionals can locate, operate, and maintain an AED in line with current Resuscitation Council (UK) guidelines.
- To build confidence in recognising cardiac arrest and initiating immediate life-saving interventions.
- To reinforce the importance of AED accessibility, staff training, and ongoing readiness within dental practices.
Objectives
By the end of this course, learners will be able to:
- Explain why AEDs are essential in dental practice.
- Identify optimal AED placement, signage, and access requirements.
- Describe the training requirements for AED use and CPR in dental teams.
- List the key maintenance checks and accessories needed for AED readiness.
- Follow the correct sequence of actions in a cardiac arrest emergency.
- Outline post-incident actions, including debriefing, restocking, and documentation.
Learning Outcomes
On successful completion of this course, dental professionals will be able to:
- Demonstrate understanding of the link between early defibrillation and survival rates.
- Apply best practice in AED location, signage, and registration (e.g., The Circuit).
- Perform the sequence of checks and actions in a simulated cardiac arrest scenario.
- Conduct and document weekly AED maintenance checks.
- Implement a structured post-incident review process in line with GDC and CQC expectations.
GDC Development Outcomes:
C, D
Review Date:
January 2027
