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. Prompt recognition, effective teamwork and appropriate treatment can make a significant difference during a medical emergency. Regular training helps every member of the team understand their role and respond with confidence.
The course supports dental practices in meeting current GDC, Resuscitation Council UK and CQC expectations while helping every member of the team develop the confidence to respond effectively during a medical emergency.
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).
This course has been developed in line with current General Dental Council (GDC), Resuscitation Council UK (RCUK) and Care Quality Commission (CQC) guidance. Training focuses on realistic situations that may occur in the surgery, waiting room or other primary care environment, helping teams develop practical skills that can be applied immediately within their own practice.
Course Length:
Approximately 2.5 to 3 hours
Course Assessment:
Assessment takes place throughout the course using practical observation and realistic emergency scenarios.
Certification
Successful delegates receive a CPD certificate suitable for GDC CPD records and supporting CQC compliance requirements.
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
Resources Included After Training
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 delegates working in small groups to assess and manage realistic medical emergency scenarios in the dental surgery and waiting room. Realistic scenarios help develop decision-making, communication and practical skills in a safe learning environment before applying them within everyday clinical practice.
Programme Content
- Structured ABCDE assessment and treatment
- Recognition and management of common medical 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 Basic Life Support (BLS) and AED guidance, including 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
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes. This course is aligned with current General Dental Council (GDC), Care Quality Commission (CQC) and Resuscitation Council UK guidance for medical emergency training. It supports annual updates and provides documentation suitable for CPD records and practice compliance.
Yes. Every member of the dental team should understand their role during a medical emergency. Although responsibilities vary between clinical and non-clinical staff, everyone should know how to summon help, support the emergency response and work effectively as part of the team.
Where possible, we recommend having your own emergency equipment and drugs available during the session. Training with the equipment your team uses every day helps improve familiarity, confidence and emergency preparedness. If required, equipment can also be provided.
Yes. We encourage practices to use their own emergency drugs, oxygen, AED and other equipment throughout the course. This allows delegates to become familiar with the equipment they would use in a real emergency while also helping identify any issues with equipment checks or emergency procedures.
Yes. We understand that closing a practice during the working day is not always practical. Training can often be arranged before opening, after closing or at another convenient time to minimise disruption to patient appointments.
Training is delivered to individual practices and can usually accommodate the whole team. If your practice has a larger number of staff, we can arrange multiple sessions to ensure everyone has the opportunity to participate fully in the practical scenarios.
Yes. Training can be adapted to reflect your practice layout, patient profile, equipment and any specific learning requirements. This helps make the scenarios as realistic and relevant as possible for your team.
Yes. Throughout the course there are opportunities to discuss your own emergency procedures, equipment and protocols with the instructor. This practical approach helps ensure the training is directly relevant to your practice and supports continuous improvement in emergency preparedness.
Message Us — We’re Here to Help
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