3. Emergency drug kit and equipment
The following is the core recommended emergency drug kit and equipment for a UK dental practice, based on Resuscitation Council (UK) guidance. Quantities, paediatric doses and additional items should be confirmed against current national guidance and the practice’s own risk assessment.
Core drugs
| Drug / equipment | Presentation / dose | Primary indication |
|---|---|---|
| Oxygen | High-flow (up to 15 L/min) with masks (adult & child) and pocket mask/bag-valve-mask | Hypoxia in most emergencies |
| Adrenaline (epinephrine) 1:1000 | Auto-injector or ampoule + syringe, 500 micrograms IM (adult) | Anaphylaxis |
| Salbutamol inhaler | 100 micrograms/puff, with spacer device | Acute asthma attack |
| Glucagon injection / oral glucose gel | 1 mg IM/SC, or oral glucose (gel, tablets, sugary drink) | Hypoglycaemia |
| Glyceryl trinitrate (GTN) spray | 400 micrograms/dose, sublingual | Angina |
| Aspirin | 300 mg, dispersible/chewed | Suspected myocardial infarction |
| Midazolam (buccal) | 10 mg buccal | Prolonged epileptic seizure (status epilepticus) |
| Hydrocortisone (IM) | 100 mg | Adrenal (Addisonian) crisis |
Additional recommended equipment
- Self-inflating bag-valve-mask with reservoir
- Oropharyngeal airways of assorted sizes
- Pulse oximeter
- Blood glucose meter
- Automated external defibrillator (AED)
- Rigid suction unit with catheters
- Sharps bin
- Spacer device for inhalers and single-use tourniquets where recommended by local guidance
Only administer drugs you are trained and authorised to give, following current guidance and your practice protocol. Check expiry dates, oxygen supply and AED pads/battery on a documented schedule.