Being prepared in advance for worst-case medical emergencies is the optimal way to prevent any bad outcomes, according to a Canadian dentist who's an expert on the subject. Good preparation can be as simple as a "cheat sheet" with a summary of emergency procedure essentials. Source: DrBicuspid.com
Read more
A History of Patient Comfort (Part III): Comfortably Numb
One of the facets of dentistry that makes it unique in the field of healthcare is the ability to anaesthetize whatever tissues we are working on. This was not always reliably true, which in addition to the fact that our jobs take place in a highly personal, sensitive area of the body, has contributed to…
Read more
King Pyrrhus and Dental Anaesthesia
In 280 BC and 279 BC, King Pyrrhus led his army to victories against the Romans in two separate battles during the Pyrrhic War. Although his armies were victorious, they were also decimated in number and were eventually overrun. Their experience has led to the term “Pyrrhic victory” when recounting battles that maybe never should…
Read more
A History of Patient Comfort (Part II): Passing Gas (1540-1847)
The story of inhalational anaesthesia leading up to Ether Day is as much about personalities as it is about science. Actually, it’s more about the people than the chemistry. Oxygen, nitrous oxide and ether were each discovered before their use could really be sorted out, not unlike the Internet. The personalities involved included (in alphabetical…
Read more