What is the recommended action when a patient stops breathing during a dental procedure?

• A. Perform rescue breaths
• B. Start chest compressions
• C. Check pulse
• D. Call emergency services immediately

Answer: (A)

When breathing has stopped, the first priority is to restore ventilation to get oxygen moving through the body. Providing rescue breaths inflates the lungs and delivers oxygen to the bloodstream, which is essential while help is being obtained. In a dental setting you can deliver breaths by mouth-to-mouth or with a bag-valve-mask if available. If the person still has a pulse, continue rescue breaths at about one breath every 5–6 seconds (roughly 10–12 breaths per minute) until normal breathing returns or emergency help arrives. If there is no detectable pulse, start chest compressions in addition to rescue breaths (a common approach is 30 compressions to 2 breaths) and call emergency services immediately; use an AED as soon as it’s available.