Endotracheal intubation

[emeraldcity84]

Quick question, which I can't seem to find an answer to very easily.

Are dentists trained how to perform intubation in school and subsequently allowed to perform in on patients? I know oral surgeons are able; however, I don't know if that is something they learn when the specialize or if other special training is needed. I was just wondering about general dentists with the basic education. Thanks.

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[BuckeyeDDS]

Quick question, which I can't seem to find an answer to very easily.

Are dentists trained how to perform intubation in school and subsequently allowed to perform in on patients? I know oral surgeons are able; however, I don't know if that is something they learn when the specialize or if other special training is needed. I was just wondering about general dentists with the basic education. Thanks.

I did not learn how to intubate in dental school...I have not heard of any who have. I'm in a GPR now and intubated a couple people on my anesthesia rotation. Intubating was fun to try...but the real value for general dentists is in learning to manage the airway should you have a patient lose it. If you effectively bag and mask a patient, that will do until they come out of the sedation that you just overdid.

To answer your question, intubating is something that must be learned and practiced to be able to do it with any proficiency. That won't happen in dental school. It will have to learned on a formal rotation on an anesthesia service and be done much more than a couple of times.

 

[MStarr]

I haven't heard of any dental school teaching intubation for dental students.

At some point you might need or want to take an ACLS or PALS course wherein you will be briefed on the subject. The newer courses do not emphasize intubation techniques.

As a "general dentist" you really have no business attempting an intubation w/out formal training and experience. Dial 911 and support the airway.

I did a few intubations in an anesthesia rotation during my pedo residency and in no way felt proficient. Now as a dental anesthesiologist I understand why experience is important.

If you really have a keen interest in getting some experience ask the OMFS dept or the anes dept if you can shadow or perhaps some type of externship.
I think of far more value might be experience in starting an IV's.

 

[deeyala]

Nope

 

[rarm1]

You may learn it if you are required for an anesthesia course and they have you take ACLS.... in a GPR... you will have anesthesia training and do them. In a dental anesthesia program you will do many.

For most dentists... best to learn CPR and call 911...
Even in the hospital, generally the best qualified do them in emergencies( generally anesthologists).

I am trained in it, I am an ACLS instructor. But for the most part anesthesia does my cases

 

[emeraldcity84]

Thanks for the info!

 

[Bifid Uvula]

Does filling the impression tray with too much material and "capturing the cords" count as "intubation?"

 

[Toof Doc]

As a "general dentist" you really have no business attempting an intubation w/out formal training and experience. Dial 911 and support the airway.

I did a few intubations in an anesthesia rotation during my pedo residency and in no way felt proficient. Now as a dental anesthesiologist I understand why experience is important.

If you really have a keen interest in getting some experience ask the OMFS dept or the anes dept if you can shadow or perhaps some type of externship.
I think of far more value might be experience in starting an IV's.

I highly agree with MStarr. There are much more important things to learn when it comes to emergency situations. Just because intubating looks cool on TV and its something to brag about to your buddies, it is not a skill that will greatly help a dentist. Most emergency situations do not require intubating... and attempting to intubate someone once every 10 years would probably be a disaster. Have an action plan for emergencies where you work, take ACLS if you want more experience.

 

[drhobie7]

An easier and safer (albeit less stable) advanced airway is a laryngeal mask airway (LMA). I think this is the kind of thing a dentist could learn to insert quite easily.

 

[capisce?]

An easier and safer (albeit less stable) advanced airway is a laryngeal mask airway (LMA). I think this is the kind of thing a dentist could learn to insert quite easily.

i think a monkey could place an LMA

 

[Bifid Uvula]

A monkey could... but could a periodontist????