In an ideal world, all patients would have a clear health care proxy and be able to voice their wishes regarding medical treatment. However, that is not always the case. If you are ever in a situation where someone needs emergency first aid for dental problems, it is important that you know what to do until help arrives.
Fortunately, there are ways of preparing for this type of emergency. Dental immediate life support training (DILS) teaches people how to deal with dental trauma prior to professional help arriving on the scene.
Types of Training Available
There are various types of training available for those who want to learn more about dental immediate life support procedures. Most basic courses involve some combination of classroom study and hands-on practice time at the school or training centre. More advanced courses may involve a written test and hands-on training in an actual clinic setting.
In addition to general DILS classes, some dental professional associations offer DILS certification programs for their members who want to show that they have been trained in this area of expertise. In many cases, the course work is done online through association websites or email correspondence with a trainer. The exams are usually administered by mail or at local chapter functions.
How Much Training Is Needed?
Typically, a one-day program is enough for new people to feel comfortable giving basic care under supervision until help can arrive on the scene. Advanced courses might last a week or more and provide a greater deal of coverage regarding specialised equipment and procedures used in treating dental emergencies. Because the training includes dealing with immediate life-threatening problems such as airway obstructions and severe bleeding, a candidate must be able to demonstrate that he or she knows how to administer CPR and first aid. The objective of most courses is to teach healthcare professionals how to perform cardiopulmonary resuscitation, simple airway management, and defibrillation (manual and/or AED) safely. A basic course will last one day and includes lectures as well as practical sessions, however, the contents of the course will depend on the final accreditation and the course provider. This is why it’s so crucial to do your research early on. Courses can be organized through many different educational providers. The British Dental Association publishes a list of certified organisations on its website that you can use to find one in your area offering basic, intermediate and advanced courses in dental life support. However, some countries have their own regulations regarding the training requirements for dental practitioners.
We hope this information was helpful to you if you’re looking for a DILS course. But should you need any further help, drop us a. line as we can cover this topic in more detail in a future blog.