Aspects of training in clinical medical sciences in dentistry (human disease): recent graduates' perspectives from a UK dental school

Teaching the management of medical emergencies is an important part of most courses in Clinical Medical Sciences in Dentistry (Human Disease). The aim of this study was to examine which medical emergencies graduates from the School of Dental Sciences at Newcastle University had experienced 1year after qualification and their perceptions of their ability to assess a patient's fitness for treatment or to manage a medical emergency. The study instrument was a computer readable questionnaire. Very few emergencies had been experienced in general practice at this stage of their career, but all respondents either strongly agreed or agreed that their training had adequately equipped them to assess a patient's medical history and deal with medical emergencies. There were, however, aspects of the course that upon reflection that clearly needed to be addressed, including the use of different teachers for aspects of the medical emergency teaching.