BENEFITS


Essential Medications for Medical Emergencies


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ecause a medical emer- gency can happen at any time, dental offic- es should be equipped


and trained to respond. There is a consensus among dental thought leaders, including the ADA, about the core medications that should make up the basic emergency medical kit. These include (but are not limited to):


• Epinephrine — A hormone that causes an increase in heart rate, muscle strength, blood pressure, and sugar me- tabolism. Commonly known as adrena- line, epinephrine injections are used to treat anaphylaxis resulting from a severe allergic reaction or acute asthmatic attack. An epinephrine auto-injector (commonly referred to by the branded name EpiPen® but widely available as generic) is essential to providing a rapid initial response. A back-up injection should be on hand in case the patient has a biphasic reaction. • Albuterol — An asthma inhaler used to treat acute bronchospasms in asthma attacks.


• Diphenhydramine — A histamine blocker used to treat patients with mild or delayed-onset allergic reactions. • Aspirin — Administered as part of the MONA protocol when myocardial infarction is suspected.


• Nitroglycerin — A coronary vasodilator used to relieve severe angina symptoms such as chest pain or pressure. Nitro- glycerin may be administered through a sublingual tablet or translingual spray. • Glucose — A simple sugar used to treat diabetic or hypoglycemic patients dur- ing a blood sugar-related emergency.


NALOXONE NOW RECOMMENDED


Because of the growing opioid addiction epidemic, the opioid overdose reversal drug


This article adapted from healthfirst.com/article/essential- medications-for-dental-office-medical-emergencies. Learn more about kits at healthfirst.com.


naloxone, often sold under the brand name NARCAN® is now recommended as an emergency drug for dentistry. Naloxone is an opioid antagonist ad- ministered as a nasal spray to reverse opioid-induced respiratory de- pression.


OPIOID OVERDOSE READINESS


All dental offices should have a current (non- expired) supply of core emergency drugs for immediate administration during a medical emergency. Medical personnel should be trained on, and familiar with administra- tion of, the recommended emergency drugs. HealthFirst, an ADA endorsed and MDA- co-endorsed company, offers 50 percent off ACLS, BLS, PALS and NRP certification or recertification through ACLS Certification Institute (for HealthFirst members only) and HealthFirst Emergency Medical Kit Training.


KEEPING MEDICATIONS CURRENT


HealthFirst offers a complete line of medica- tions to help dental practices and oral sur- geons prepare for a medical emergency. The HealthFirst Auto-Replenishment Service and OnTraq application use smart automation to track expiration dates of medications and de- vices, refilling them before they expire, keep- ing medications up-to-date while saving time and lowering costs. In addition to emergency medical kits, HealthFirst is a license single unit dose medication wholesaler, allowing you to purchase individual emergency medi- cations to stock your kit or crash cart. Stock up today and improve your office’s medical emergency readiness.


MOPRO: New Online Licensure System


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n January the Missouri Division of Pro- fessional Registration and its boards began operating in a new, modern and


24/7/365 licensure system, MOPRO! To register for an account at mopro.mo.gov, you must have an email on record with the Dental Board. If you have not received an email about MOPRO, visit the Dental Board website (pr.mo.gov/ dental) and click “Change of Address” to update your records (or call 573-751- 0040). If you need help registering for your MOPRO account, the Division of Professional Registration can assist you. Please call 833-373-2936 or email mo- protech@pr.mo.gov for help! MOPRO will give you access to your information 24/7 including:


• Applying for a license. • Renewing your license, whether on time or late.


• Submitting payments online for your license, a duplicate license, or licensure verification.


• Changing your name, address, or other contact information.


• Changing corporate officers or owners of a licensed business. • Tracking supervision hours.


The Dental Board has stated that after the 2026 renewal period, all licenses and permits will move to 100 percent online renewal and the same for mailed remind- er notices. After 2026, the plan is to discontinue those as well. Additionally of note, in the MOPRO system, licensees and applicants will be required to submit proof of or demonstrate continued law- ful presence in the U. S.


Read more at modental.org/news-publications/ news-updates/news-details/2025/01/15/new-state- dental-licensure-site.


ISSUE 1 | SPRING 2025 | focus 21


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