Management of anaphylaxis in the dental practice : an update

Abstract

Anaphylaxis is a severe and potentially life-threatening allergic reaction that can occur in the dental practice. There are a number of dental-related causes including mouthwashes, local anaesthetics, latex and antibiotics. The dental team must be able to respond effectively and manage the life-threatening situation appropriately following Resuscitation Council UK guidelines. The timely administration of adrenaline is life-saving; any delays can lead to a poor outcome. With the current national supply issues with adrenaline auto-injector devices, there is an expectation that GDPs should be competent at drawing up adrenaline from an ampoule and administrating it intramuscularly. The aim of this article is to provide an update on the management of anaphylaxis in the dental practice with particular reference to the procedure for intramuscular injection of adrenaline.