SDCEP Management of Acute Dental Problems Flashcards
Most patients with an acute dental problem will have what symptoms?
- pain
- trauma
- swelling
- ulceration
- bleeding
- altered sensation or abnormal appearance
A patient presents to you with pain, what are the SDCEP flowchart steps that you should follow?
- Are there signs of MI or overdose?
- Is the pain due to trauma?
- Is there swelling?
- Is the pain in a tooth?
- Is the pain in an erupting tooth?
- Has analgesic been taken?
- Has analgesic controlled the pain?
What does SDCEP mean by emergency care in relevance to acute dental problems?
arrange for the pt to have contact with a clinical advisor within 60 mins & subsequent treatment within a timescale appropriate to situation severity
What does SDCEP mean by urgent care in relevance to acute dental problems?
advise the pt to seek dental or medical care as indicated within 24 hours unless condition worsens
What does SDCEP mean by non-urgent care in relevance to acute dental problems?
advise the pt to see a dentist within 7 days if required unless condition worsens
What does SDCEP mean by self care in relevance to acute dental problems?
the pt should be able to manage the problem without the need for further involvement of a HCW
A patient presents with swelling, what guidelines and pathways should you use to assess and treat this patient?
guideline = SDCEP management of acute dental problems
pathway = swelling pathway
A patient presents with swelling, what should you assess first?
- is the patient having trouble breathing?
- does the pt find it difficult to stick out/move their tongue?
- is the swelling closing the eye?
- has the swelling worsened in the last hour?
- is the swelling sudden & unexplained?
When should you contact emergency care for a pt with a swelling?
- swelling rapidly increasing
- swelling likely to obstruct airway or close eye
- pt is systemically unwell (rigors, high temp, dehydrated)
In pts with trauma, what would call for immediate emergency referral?
- head injury/loss of consciousness
- significant facial trauma
- compromised airway
- large lacerations/tongue lacerations
- altered jaw movement
- inhaled tooth/fragment
In a pt with ulceration, what would call for immediate emergency care according to SDCEP guidelines?
- signs of severe dehydration
In a pt with ulceration, what would call for urgent care according to SDCEP guidelines?
- ulcers present for > 3 weeks
- systemically unwell patients
What is an acute apical abscess, according to SDCEP guidelines?
acute inflammation of the soft tissues immediately surrounding the tip of the tooth root
- tooth decay & death of pulp
- trauma can also cause this
What is the initial management of an acute apical abscess according to SDCEP guidelines?
- determine if airway is compromised (can pt swallow their saliva & push tongue out)
Airway is compromised = emergency care via NHS 24 / 999
Airway is not compromised
- recommend optimal analgesia
- do not prescribe antibiotics unless systemic infection signs
- advise pt to seek urgent dental care
What is the subsequent care of an acute apical abscess after initial management according to SDCEP guidelines?
- drainage of abscess (either through affected tooth or incisional drainage)
- prescribe NSAIDs if unable to drain infection/pt says no
- relieving occlusion on affected tooth if appropriate
- XLA of tooth
What is alveolar osteitis (dry socket) according to SDCEP guidelines?
Osteitis (bone is exposed at extarction site & is inflamed) of a socket after a tooth is extracted. Patients who smoke are more at risk.
