As a dental professional, you help people eliminate pain, minimize risk factors for oral disease, and cope with uncomfortable symptoms and procedures. From unexpected reactions to nitrous oxide to chewing and swallowing problems to cardiac arrest, dental patients are always unpredictable – which means dental hygienists and dental assistants need to be prepared for anything.
Learn more about the requirements for BLS and CPR certification for dental hygienists and dental assistants – then get started with your certification online!
Dental hygienists and dental assistants must receive specific training to be able to recognize and handle life-threatening situations, including earning their BLS certification.
Dental assistants and hygienists must be prepared to handle any situation that arises, such as a fear response or an allergic reaction. To be a proficient rescuer in any situation, they must earn their BLS certification, which is a CPR certification specifically for dental assistant professionals. Dental school does not necessarily prepare them for these types of situations, so they may need additional training. National dental licensing boards are concerned with ensuring dental professionals have adequate skills.
Be sure to consult your specific licensing board for details on your CPR or BLS requirements.
Too often, people underestimate the responsibilities of dental assistants and dental hygienists. Not only do you need to understand all of the various procedures taking place in your dental office – including cleanings, cavities, crowns, and more – but also you need to be prepared to help your patient and colleagues with any situation that arises.
While many dental procedures are straightforward and relatively pain-free, you never know how someone is going to react or if they are already at risk for cardiac arrest. Dental assistants and dental hygienists encounter people with a wide range of conditions every day. Dental school prepares you to handle routine procedures and to care for your patients’ dental concerns, it likely doesn’t prepare you for the many situations in which a patient may need life-saving CPR at a moment’s notice.
For instance, a patient may have an unexpected fear response, which could trigger a cardiac event. Patients dealing with severe tooth problems, loose teeth or implants, or loose crowns and fittings are apt to choke if a piece unexpectedly comes loose and falls to the back of the throat. Allergic reactions and other unknown health issues can also crop up before, during, and after procedures.
If something goes wrong, a dental assistant needs to be able to intervene and successfully sustain life until emergency personnel can arrive. Because of this, dental hygienists and dental assistants must go through specific training to be able to recognize and handle life-threatening situations. Dental hygienists and dental assistants may also be required to take a Bloodborne Pathogens course.
Due to the many occupational situations in which you may need to use CPR to help a patient in need, national dental licensing boards are concerned with ensuring dental professionals have adequate skills. Organizations such as the Dental Assisting National Board are typically the sources of CPR requirements for dental assistants. Be sure to consult your specific licensing board for details on your CPR or BLS requirements.
With all of these hazards, dental hygienists and dental assistants are expected to be attentive observers and confident rescuers. To be a proficient rescuer in any situation – whether it be cases of choking, cardiac arrest, or something else entirely – dental hygienists and dental assistants are required to earn their BLS certification, which is a CPR certification specifically for dental assistant professionals and other healthcare workers.
Generally, dental hygienists and dental assistants are considered to be healthcare professionals because they deal with bodily health concerns and perform procedures on patients. Because of this, dental hygienists and dental assistants often require healthcare-level training in Basic Life Support and First Aid. This is your course content requirement. Be sure to select CPR classes for dental assistants and dental hygienists that specifically includes BLS training.
Most likely, CPR requirements for dental offices and their personnel will state that you need to complete a CPR certification program that involves a hands-on training program. Look for a program listed as a “blended” course, which means there is a hands-on training portion, manikin, and live video skills assessment with an instructor in order to meet the requirements to earn a CPR certification for dental hygienists and dental assistants. There are some special considerations for dental hygienists when it comes time to renew your CPR certification. In most cases, dental hygienists can submit Continued Education Units (CEUs) to the American Dental Association Continuing Education Recognition Program (ADA CERP) without a hands-on component. However, if you submit your CEUs to the Academy of General Dentistry (AGD), you must have a hands-on component to your training. You may also take ACLS and PALS courses for CEUs.
Finally, your state may have specific course brand requirements. Some states require that your CPR certification for dental assistant professionals or dental hygienists come from a specific brand; others don’t have brand-specific requirements and allow you to complete your training with flexible online providers like ProTrainings.
There may be specific CPR certification requirements and special considerations for Dental Hygienists performing CPR according to your state. To learn more about which requirements impact you, select your state on the map below.