Reading List

Curated references to support learning from Non-Cardiac Medical Emergencies for Dental Nurses.

Dental Medical Emergency Guidance

• GDC - Recommended CPD topics
  Identifies medical emergencies as a recommended CPD topic, specifying at least 10 hours per CPD cycle and a minimum of two hours each year.
  https://www.gdc-uk.org/education-cpd/cpd/enhanced-cpd-scheme-2018/recommended-cpd-topics?mdrv=www.gdc-uk.org

• British Dental Association - Medical emergencies in dental practices
  Practice-focused guidance aligned with RCUK standards on preparation, training, equipment, risk assessment, roles and emergency protocols.
  https://www.bda.org/advice/patient-care-and-practice-safety/clinical-compliance/medical-emergencies-in-dental-practices/

• SDCEP - Medical emergencies
  Guidance on emergency drugs, common conditions, training and competence in dental practice.
  https://www.sdcepdentalprescribing.nhs.scot/guidance/medical-emergencies/

• SDCEP Practice Support Manual - Medical emergency equipment
  Practical equipment list and readiness advice, including oxygen, airway equipment, AED, suction and expected competencies.
  https://www.psm.sdcep.org.uk/topics/medical-emergencies-and-life-support/medical-emergency-equipment/

Emergency Drugs and Conditions

• SDCEP - Drugs for medical emergencies
  Current recommended emergency drugs for dental practice and advice for hospital handover.
  https://www.sdcepdentalprescribing.nhs.scot/guidance/medical-emergencies/drugs-for-medical-emergencies/

• SDCEP - Mild allergic reactions
  Advice on managing mild allergic reactions and the criteria for treating severe reactions as anaphylaxis.
  https://www.sdcepdentalprescribing.nhs.scot/guidance/medical-emergencies/mild-allergic-reactions/

• SDCEP - Anaphylaxis
  Guidance for recognising and managing anaphylaxis in dental settings, including oxygen and adrenaline use.
  https://www.sdcepdentalprescribing.nhs.scot/guidance/medical-emergencies/anaphylaxis/

• SDCEP - Asthma
  Advice on acute severe and life-threatening asthma, including use of salbutamol via spacer in practice.
  https://www.sdcepdentalprescribing.nhs.scot/guidance/medical-emergencies/asthma/

• SDCEP - Epilepsy
  Information on recognising seizures, maintaining safety, oxygen, escalation and use of midazolam for prolonged or repeated seizures.
  https://www.sdcepdentalprescribing.nhs.scot/guidance/medical-emergencies/epilepsy/

• SDCEP - Hypoglycaemia
  Recognition and management of hypoglycaemia with oral glucose or glucagon, according to the patient's condition.
  https://www.sdcepdentalprescribing.nhs.scot/guidance/medical-emergencies/hypoglycaemia/

• SDCEP - Faint
  Guidance on recognising and managing syncope in dental practice.
  https://www.sdcepdentalprescribing.nhs.scot/guidance/medical-emergencies/faint/

• SDCEP - Other medical emergencies
  Links to guidance on stroke, aspiration and choking for reference alongside this course.
  https://www.sdcepdentalprescribing.nhs.scot/guidance/medical-emergencies/other-medical-emergencies/

Anaphylaxis and Adrenal Crisis

• Resuscitation Council UK - Emergency treatment of anaphylaxis
  Healthcare guidance on recognising and treating anaphylaxis, emphasising intramuscular adrenaline.
  https://www.resus.org.uk/library/additional-guidance/guidance-anaphylaxis/emergency-treatment

• NICE - Adrenal insufficiency: identification and management NG243
  NICE guideline covering adrenal insufficiency and emergency management of adrenal crisis.
  https://www.nice.org.uk/guidance/NG243

• Society for Endocrinology - Adrenal crisis
  Clinical guidance advising prompt treatment of suspected adrenal crisis and describing emergency hydrocortisone therapy.
  https://www.endocrinology.org/clinical-practice/clinical-guidance/adrenal-crisis/

Professional Standards

• GDC Standards for the Dental Team
  Standards on patient safety, communication, teamwork, working within competence and raising concerns.
  https://www.gdc-uk.org/standards-guidance/standards-and-guidance/standards-for-the-dental-team

• GDC Scope of Practice
  Current GDC guidance on scope of practice for dental nurses and the wider dental team.
  https://www.gdc-uk.org/standards-guidance/standards-and-guidance/scope-of-practice

• GDC Safe Practitioner: Dental Nurse framework
  GDC learning outcomes and behaviours for safe dental nurse practice.
  https://www.gdc-uk.org/docs/default-source/about-us/safe-practitioner/safe-practitioner--dental-nurse.pdf?sfvrsn=bae145a5_4