3. Handover, antibiotics and the record

Handover

Receiving teams need: suspected source tooth/space, onset, what you drained or extracted, observations if taken, drugs and times, allergies, and why you are worried now. A blurry photo of the face can help if it does not delay the ambulance.

Antibiotics

The Antimicrobial Stewardship series still applies for localised infection. For suspected sepsis or airway threat, emergency care comes first. Do not withhold a clinically indicated first dose if a prescriber is treating while awaiting transfer — tell ED what you gave.

After the event

Debrief the team. Were red flags missed at the desk? Was the emergency kit reachable? Update the protocol. This is GDC outcome D: a quality system, not a quiet hope it does not happen again.

Series close

Module 1: recognise deterioration. Module 2: dental pathways and safety-netting. Together they are 2 hours of verifiable CPD. Keep annual hands-on medical-emergency training as well.

Always follow current NICE sepsis guidance and your local urgent-care map. If in doubt, call 999.