At the time of a medical emergency in a dental setting, what should you do first?

• A. You must initiate first response until the dentist or medical assistance arrives
• B. Call the ambulance immediately
• C. Leave the patient to seek help
• D. Administer CPR only if trained

Answer: (A)

In an emergency, the priority is to act immediately as the first responder to stabilize the patient while help is on the way. The moment you recognize a medical issue in the dental setting, you begin with a quick assessment and provide the basic life-support actions needed to keep the person safe and breathing, if necessary, until the dentist or trained medical personnel arrive. This approach reduces the risk of deterioration and buys critical time for professional help to take over.

So, starting the first response right away—assessing the patient, providing any required care (such as CPR if the person isn’t breathing or has no pulse), and calling for the dentist or emergency help—best meets that need to act quickly and stay with the patient until aid arrives. Leaving the patient or delaying care until someone else arrives can lead to worse outcomes, and waiting to act or limiting actions only to CPR when not appropriate or when not trained also misses the broader, immediate stabilization that a first responder provides.