Evaluation of resuscitation knowledge and skills in dentists before and after a European Resuscitation Council CPR/AED course

Abstract

To investigate the level of knowledge of Greek dentists in cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) and of the use of the Automated External Defibrillator (AED) before and after participating in a European Resuscitation Council (ERC) CPR/AED course. Materials and methods:A theoretical knowledge questionnaire consisting of multiple choice questions was completed by the participants at the beginning of the CPR/AED course. The participants were re-evaluated at the end of the course, while the evaluation procedure consisted of two distinct parts: a 10-min written test which preceded a simulated cardiac arrest scenario. Results:The average performance of the participants in pre-course written test was satisfactory, while the dentists who had attended a CPR/AED course in the past achieved significantly higher initial performance in contrast to their colleagues (p=0.028). There was a statistically significant increase in post-course test score compared to pre-course test score (8.3±1.2 vs. 5.7±1.9, respectively; p<0.001). In addition, participation in a CPR/AED course had a positive effect on the participant's skills, as their performance was excellent at the end of the course. Conclusions:Dentists' resuscitation knowledge and skills were significantly improved after participating in ERC CPR/AED courses.

Managing Cardiac Patients: Dentists’ Knowledge, Perceptions, and Practices

“…There are few studies on knowledge and attitudes of dentists towards other cardiac-related issues, such as managing antithrombotic medications, 24 , 25 , 30 resuscitation skills, 31 , 32 , 33 the use of AED, 33 , 34 and cardiac side effects of local dental anaesthesia. 35 , 36 Most dentists are more aware of older anticoagulant and antiplatelet medications than they are of novel anticoagulants.…”