Dentist Awareness about Basic Life Support in Dental Colleges of NCR

Abstract

Aim: This study aimed to assess Dentist Awareness of Basic life Support (BLS) among Dental colleges of NCR U.P India. Materials and Methods: A cross-sectional questionnaire survey was carried out in randomly selected 3 dental colleges out of 6 pursuing post-graduation courses in NCR. A prior permission was obtained from the concerned college authorities. The study was conducted by assessing responses to 20 selected basic questions regarding BLS among M.D.S Staff, P.G Student, and B.D.S Staff. A questionnaire with 20 questions regarding the awareness and skills involved in BLS was used to assess the levels of awareness to BLS and its practical knowledge. The aspects on which they were interrogated were about the abbreviation of BLS, AED and EMS (Emergency Medical Service), sequential steps in BLS, assessment and resuscitation techniques with regard to airway, breathing, circulation in unresponsive victims of different age groups, techniques regarding removal of foreign body obstruction, recognition of early signs of stroke and acute coronary syndrome. Results: The findings of present study are somewhat similar to Chandrashekaran S et al., [1] who stated that medical, dental, nursing students & faculty in the study group were severely lacking in the awareness of BLS whereas in the present study BDS faculty and postgraduates of dental were same but MDS faculty were somewhat aware about BLS. On comparison MDS Faculty showed more awareness as compared to PG student and BDS faculty in this study. Conclusions: It is also equally important that teachers, school children, public and all lay persons from the community be taught the facts of basic life support and first aid.