Why Dental Teams Need This Training
Medical emergencies can happen without warning — in the surgery, waiting room or even outside the practice. Dental teams must be ready to respond immediately to conditions such as collapse, cardiac arrest, anaphylaxis, asthma or hypoglycaemia. Quick action saves lives, and having the right training ensures every team member knows exactly what to do.
This course ensures your dental practice meets all GDC, Resuscitation Council UK (RCUK) and CQC requirements for medical emergency preparedness, while giving your team the confidence to manage real scenarios safely and effectively.
Regulatory Requirements for Dental Practitioners
The General Dental Council (GDC) states in Scope of Practice (2013) that all dental registrants must be trained and competent in managing medical emergencies, including performing resuscitation.
To remain compliant:
- Every dental professional must complete a minimum of 10 hours of medical emergencies CPD in each 5-year cycle.
- A minimum of annual updates is strongly recommended by GDC, RCUK and CQC.
- Practices must be able to evidence competence during inspections and audits.
This course meets all regulatory expectations and provides the documentation needed for compliance.
Course Overview
This course fully complies with the requirements and recommendations of the General Dental Council (GDC), Resuscitation Council UK (RCUK) and the Care Quality Commission (CQC).
Designed specifically for dental practices and primary care settings, the training provides hands-on, scenario-based experience to help your team recognise and manage medical emergencies safely and confidently. Delivered by practising clinicians, the course focuses on real situations your team may face in the surgery, waiting room or community.
Course Length:
2.5 – 3 contact hours
Course Assessment:
Continuous assessment throughout the session
Certification
All participants receive CPD certification suitable for CQC audits and GDC compliance.
What This Course Involves
- Simulation of common medical emergencies using realistic scenarios
- Practical rehearsal with your own emergency equipment and drugs
- Team-based training and role play to build communication and confidence
- Application of the structured ABCDE assessment approach
- Use of oxygen, AED, airway adjuncts, glucometer and other essential equipment
What Your Practice Receives
On completion, your team will gain access to a range of support resources, including:
- Medical emergency flow charts for display in surgeries
- Access to our clinical support telephone advice line
- Access to our online resource pages to support ongoing learning
Learning Outcomes
- Apply the structured ABCDE approach to assess, recognise and manage a seriously unwell or deteriorating patient in the dental setting.
- Perform effective CPR and operate an Automated External Defibrillator (AED) safely and confidently in line with current Resuscitation Council UK guidelines.
- Identify and administer the correct emergency drugs for common medical emergencies, including anaphylaxis, hypoglycaemia, asthma, seizures, chest pain and fainting.
- Use essential medical devices and monitoring equipment, such as oxygen delivery systems, pulse oximeters, glucometers and airway adjuncts.
- Demonstrate effective communication, leadership and teamwork during an emergency, applying human factors principles.
- Understand CQC requirements for medical emergency preparedness, including equipment checks, documentation and ongoing staff competency.
Course Structure and Programme
This course is highly practical, with candidates working in small groups to assess and manage realistic medical emergency scenarios in the dental chair or waiting room. The instructor acts as the patient, allowing your team to rehearse real-time decision-making and communication.
Candidates are expected to manage each scenario using the structured ABCDE approach, along with their own emergency equipment and medications to ensure training is directly applicable to their practice.
Programme Content
- Structured ABCDE assessment and treatment
- Medication management for common dental and primary care emergencies, including:
Chest Pain, Anaphylaxis, Hypoglycaemia, Convulsions, Asthma, Stroke, Cardiac Arrest, Choking, Unconsciousness, Sepsis and Syncope - Safe and effective use of monitoring equipment:
Pulse oximeter, oxygen delivery systems and glucometer
- Current adult BLS and AED guidelines, with an overview of child resuscitation and cardiac arrest in pregnancy
- Airway management, including safe and effective use of BVM, oral airways and AED
- Administration of emergency drugs, including auto-injectors and intramuscular (IM) injection techniques
- Human Factors, focusing on teamwork, leadership and non-technical skills during emergencies
- Emergency equipment checks and CQC expectations for ongoing readiness
Medical Emergency Training FAQs for Dental Teams
Yes. This course meets all General Dental Council (GDC) requirements for medical emergencies CPD and aligns fully with CQC expectations for dental practice emergency preparedness. Training is delivered in line with the latest Resuscitation Council UK (RCUK) guidance, ensuring your team remains compliant and inspection-ready.
All members of the dental team should complete this training, including:
- Dentists
- Dental Nurses
- Hygienists and therapists
- Practice managers
- Reception and administrative staff involved in patient safety
CQC expects every team member to be able to respond to medical emergencies, not just clinical staff.
Yes. All participants receive a CPD certificate confirming successful completion of the course. This certificate is suitable for GDC CPD records, CQC inspections, and practice audits. Your practice will also receive emergency flow charts and access to follow-up clinical support resources.
We recommend having your own emergency equipment and drugs available during the session. This allows the training to be delivered using the same kit you would use in a real emergency, strengthening team familiarity and confidence. If this is not possible, equipment can be provided.
The GDC, CQC and RCUK advise that dental teams complete at least 2 hours of medical emergencies training every year, with a total of 10 hours across each 5-year CPD cycle. Annual updates are recommended to maintain competence and meet inspection expectations.
The course covers the recognition and management of the most common medical emergencies seen in dental and primary care settings, including chest pain and suspected myocardial infarction, anaphylaxis, asthma, hypoglycaemia, seizures, stroke, syncope/faint, sepsis, choking, respiratory distress and cardiac arrest. Scenarios are tailored to situations that may occur in the dental chair, waiting room or reception area.
Yes. This course is usually delivered on-site in your own practice or community clinic, allowing your team to train in their usual environment with their own equipment and emergency drugs. Alternative venues can be arranged on request if needed.
Group size can be flexible, but for optimal learning we typically recommend up to 12 participants per session. Larger teams can be accommodated by running multiple sessions on the same day or over several dates.
Absolutely. The course is designed for the whole dental team, including new starters and staff with limited emergency experience. Instructors adapt the level of support and complexity to the group, ensuring everyone can participate safely and build confidence.
Yes. The programme includes medication management for medical emergencies, including the safe use of adrenaline for anaphylaxis and other commonly used emergency drugs. We also cover auto-injectors and intramuscular (IM) injection techniques in line with current guidance.
Yes. Our instructors can adapt scenarios to reflect your practice’s patient profile, equipment, layout and previous CQC feedback. If you have specific learning objectives or recent incidents you would like to explore, these can be built into the session.
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Simply complete the form below and one of our practising healthcare professionals will be in touch shortly to discuss your training needs or answer any questions you may have.
Contact Details
Whether you’d like to discuss your training requirements, book a course, or get expert advice, our friendly clinical team would love to hear from you.
Phone: 0333 0122 999
Email: info@rcmstraining.co.uk
Resuscitation Consultancy Medical Services Ltd
86 Forest Walk
Buckley, Flintshire
CH7 3AR
Opening Hours:
Monday – Friday: 8:00 am – 7:00 pm
Saturday: 8:00 am – 1:00 pm
Sunday: Closed