HECTOR VILA JR., MD

Dr. Hector Vila received his medical degree from Louisiana State University School of Medicine in 1989 and completed a 3-year residency in Anesthesia at the University of South Florida, where he received 12 months of advanced training in Pediatric Anesthesia. At graduation he was the recipient of the Dripps Award for outstanding resident. He was certified by the American Board of Anesthesiology in 1994.
Dr. Hector Vila is nationally renowned for his work to improve the quality of care in ambulatory and office based anesthesia. He served as chair of the South Carolina Medical Association Taskforce for Office Surgery Guidelines. He was lead author of the study, “A Comparative Outcomes Analysis of Procedures Performed in Physician Offices and Ambulatory Surgery Centers”. Abstracts of this study received international awards and attracted national media attention. He was quoted in US News and World Report, CNN, Good Morning America, and numerous other media. He is considered an expert in the area of patient safety. Dr. Vila has been voted to the Best Doctors in America list every year since 2005.

Course Description

Dental visits still remain anxiety-inducing experiences for some patients. Sedation is often an adjunct to treatment whether conscious sedation, IV sedation, or even General Anesthesia. This heightened anxiety level can increase the risk of medical emergencies occurring during appointments. This CE webinar will utilize simulated emergencies to promote the determination of the correct emergency diagnosis and the proper treatment procedures to be rendered by the dental professional in the event that an emergency should arise. A wide array of emergencies will be covered from syncope to cerebrovascular accident. Highlighted will be the prevention of medical emergencies by the use of appropriate assessment procedures prior to treatment. The importance of preparing and maintaining an adequate medical emergency kit will be emphasized.

Course Objectives

Upon completion of this CE webinar, the participant will
• State the rationale for baseline vital signs
• Understand the importance of medical emergency simulation
• Understand the importance of current Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation
• Recognize the symptoms of several medical emergencies that may occur in the dental office
• Explain the emergency procedure to be followed for several medical emergencies that may occur in the dental office including:

1. a) Laryngospasm

 (b) Bronchospasm

(c) Emesis and aspiration

(d) Airway blockage by foreign body

(e) Angina pectoris

(f) Myocardial infarction

(g) Hypertension/Hypotension

(h) Hypertensive crisis

(i) Allergic and toxicity reactions

 (j) Convulsions

(k) Seizures

(l) Syncope

(m) Phlebitis

(n) Intra-arterial injection

(o) Hyperventilation/Hypoventilation