Cause, Management & Prevention of Vasodepressor Shock or Syncope in Dental Clinic

'Faint' is a common situation in dental clinic, It's not a big deal but it's been included in Dental
emergency category and should be attended immediately. Most of the time fainting is due
to Vasodepressor Shock. It may happen to any patient healthy or compromised. Good news is that it is
harmless if managed properly and patients get there consciousness back after few minutes.
In this article ill discuss about- Causes, Clinical features, Pathophysiology, Prevention and Management
of Vasodepressor shock. Keep these points in mind and you can prevent or manage this kind of situation.
Causes of Fainting-
There are two root causes of Fainting 1.Psychogenic and non Psychogenic
1.Psychogenic cause- It is a response to fight or flight stimuli of body, if patient is sitting on dental chair
he can't do any muscular activity and in this condition Vasodepressor shock occurs which result in
transient loss of consciousness.Examples of situation:-
Anxiety
Sight of syringe or any surgical instruments
Fright
Stressed
Surprised with sudden pain.
After seeing blood.
2.Non Psychogenic factors- These factors result in pooling of blood in large vessels of leg resulting in
less supply to brain which eventually results in shock and fainting:-
Low levels of glucose due to skipping meals.
Long standing position.
Tired
Compromised physical condition
Crowded and Hot Environment
How can you prevent it-
1.Ask the patient to eat before they come for the appointments.
2.Monitor the vital signs before any surgery.
3.Keep the patient in supine or semi supine positions while treatments.
4.Keep an eye on the anxiety level and any concerns of dental patient, and manage it with Anxiety
reduction protocol.
5.Verbal and ensuring commands are needed in case of frightened patients.
avoid any surprises- inform the patients before performing the procedure which may elicit pain.
6.compromised physical condition will result in increased chance of fainting; so manage the case
sensitively.
7.keep the temperature of working cool with help of Air conditions or other means.
How to manage If patient Faints-
1.Stop any treatment and remove any kind of materials from mouth
of patient; clear the air way.
2.Place the patient in reverse trendelenburg position ie. Legs at
higher level then the heart and head- this will facilitate the
movement of blood from the legs toward heart and brain. hence
faster recovery.
3.Wait for few minutes sprinkle some cold water on patients face.
4.Let him come to normal state then decide to continue the
treatment or not.