Dentist to the rescue Patient’s thanks after life-saving action
GOING to the dentist can be terrifying moment for many people, but it’s usually not a life-ordeath situation.
But that’s exactly what happened at a Cheltenham practice last month when a patient fell drastically and seriously ill while waiting for his regular check up.
Dentist Christopher Hugh was expecting to see his next patient at the Hewlett Road Dental when he suddenly heard a yell coming from the waiting room.
Going downstairs to investigate he came across a “concerning” scene where a man had fallen unconscious.
Mr Hugh said: “He was sunk in his chair, his face was grey - he just generally looked awful.”
Other staff came to help but they weren’t able to get a response from him.
“His eyes were rolling back and when I checked, there was no pulse and he wasn’t breathing,” Mr Hugh said.
It was then that the team knew that the man was having a heart attack and immediately sprang into action, giving CPR and using their medical training from years ago.
The team used the defibrillator to give the patient the first shock - but there was no movement.
“There was no response,” Mr Hugh said, “So we prepared for the second shock.”
It proved to be a second time lucky, as the patient began vomiting and breathing.
“It was a massive relief” Mr Hugh said. “We knew when he was vomiting that it had worked. I don’t think I’ve been so relieved to see vomit on the floor!”
At that point, the ambulance arrived and took over and kept him stable before bringing him to hospital to get checked over thoroughly.
Despite all their medical training they never expected to find themselves in a situation where they would have just seconds to save someone’s life.
Asked how it felt to administer the defibrillator in the moment, Mr Hugh said: “You just have to stay calm.
“I’m quite a chilled person, though, and the receptionist and nurse said later were thankful to have me there to help them keep calm too.”
The aftermath for staff has been tough, he added: “I think there was a lot of shock, initially. There’s been a bit of PTSD among the staff, but touch wood it won’t happen again.
“It was our first experience with CPR and - touch wood - hopefully our last.”
Since the incident, Mr Hugh and the rest of the Hewlett Road Dental team have been visited by the patient and his wife, as well as the cardiac surgeon who saw him after the ambulance brought him to hospital.
“The patient brought flowers and chocolates for the staff and they were grateful,” said Christopher. “It was good to see him - he looked great.”
In a card written to the staff, the patient said: “My heartfelt thanks to you all for the life-saving treatment you gave me on Wednesday 16th.
“I look forward to making a dental check-up appointment that I will keep in the near future!!”
It was our first experience with CPR and - touch wood hopefully our last
Christopher Hugh