Dental guard duty: A hospital perspective

The dental guard duty usually takes place outside the hospital. The hospital emergency department does not usually dispose of dentally qualified personnel. Thus, a dental guard duty should rule out an odontogenic origin of pain and treat or at least identify the source of the odontogenic infection. A dental trauma is usually taken care of by dentists, but as soon as soft tissue lacerations or jaw bone fractures are involved, referral to an oral or a maxillofacial surgeon is warranted. A referral letter containing relevant information should accompany the patient.

Jaar van publicatie:2014