Knowledge of Emergency Drugs and Competence Level of Usage Among Dental Healthcare Providers at a Tertiary Health Facility in the South-South of Nigeria
Main Article Content
Abstract
Background: Medical emergencies occur infrequently in dental clinics but can occur when they are least expected. Effective and successful management of medical emergencies in the dental clinic includes adequate education of the dentist and other oral healthcare providers, emergency drug kits in the dental office, proper education of the chair side assistant, and a close-by referral healthcare center. This study aimed to assess dentists’ knowledge of emergency drugs and their competence levels in using such drugs during medical emergencies in the dental office.
Methods: A self-administered close-ended questionnaire consisting of sections A-E was distributed among the study participants. Section A: Sociodemographic characteristics of respondents, Section B: Awareness of Essential Drugs Recommended in the Emergency Drug Kit. The data collected were analyzed using the Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (SPSS) version 25.0. P set at ≤ 0.05
Results: A total of 67 respondents participated in the study. Of the 67 respondents, approximately half (50.7%) were aged 21 – 30 years, and 35 (52.2%) were male. Cumulatively, 52 (77.6%) respondents had a good awareness of the emergency kit-recommended essential drugs, while 15 (22.4%) did not. The occupation of respondents and their awareness of essential drugs in the emergency kit was statistically significant. Cumulatively, 46 (68.7%) of the 67 respondents had good knowledge of medications used in various emergency conditions. Generally, more than half of the respondents could administer all the emergency medications.
Conclusion: The present study has exposed the deficiencies in the undergraduate training of dental students in medical emergencies and management. While the study reported good knowledge and awareness of emergency drug kits, the overall practice and competency level of dental health providers is not satisfactory.