Defibrillators for dental practices

The Resuscitation Council (RCUK) states that all dental practices should have immediate access to an automated external defibrillator (AED). The defibrillator should be well-maintained and ready to use. The General Dental Council endorses these guidelines.

Why are defibrillators needed for dental practices?

A sudden cardiac arrest can happen at any place and time. Dental procedures, especially dental surgery, require fast action in case of cardiac arrest. CPR training for practitioners and having a defibrillator on site increase the survival rates.

Suitable automated external defibrillators (AEDs) for dental practices

A defibrillator should be available to anyone visiting a dental practice. Therefore it is recommended to opt for a defibrillator with child mode or the ability to use paediatric electrodes. Our top choices are the CU Medical i-PAD SPI and the Mindray Beneheart C1A AED, both of which come with integrated child mode. Other options include the Heartsine Samaritan devices, which require the PediPak (battery and pads in one) for the child mode. The AEDs below are low maintenance and have an excellent price/quality ratio.

Requirements for AEDs in dental practices

✓ AED with child mode or paediatric pads
✓ Provided with a rescue kit which includes at least one pair of scissors and a razor
✓ Accessible within 1 minute
✓ The AED's location marked with a recognisable ILCOR wall sign
✓ Weekly AED checks and regular maintenance

To increase the visibility and lifespan of the device, we recommend a complementary wall box.