I understand the concerns reguarding the increased time and money involved with implimenting this. I have to wonder  though if you lost a loved one because a dentist you trusted to care for you child was only able to perform basic CPR wich is the same care that would be expected at a daycare center, would you feel the same?

Don't get me wrong, I think basic CPR is great and everyone should learn it.  I also think AED's should be in every school, daycare, mall etc.  BUT the idea that a dentist could administer a sedative that could cause respiratory compromise and in turn cardiac arrest, could not be prepared to provide Advance Cardiac Life Support in addition to CPR is frightening!  Every minute that passes during cardiac arrest, the patient's chance of survival decreases significantly.  Statistics on this are a dime a dozen.  Unless you have an ambulance waiting in the parking, it is very rare that one will arrive in less than 6 minutes and often much longer.  That is until they pull up to the front door.  You also have to consider the time it takes to unload equipment, locate and assess the patient and then start ACLS IF there is a Paramedic on the ambulance.  Not all EMS agencies are ALS, there are many that can only provide Basic Life Support.  So why would you as dentists not want to be equipped to begin the life saving ACLS protocols as soon as possible to provide your patients with the best possible chance of survival?  Because of cost? time? money?  the belief that it won't happen to one of your patients?  Exactly how many deaths have to occur before the inconveniences are justifiable?

A few years ago my son had a dental procedure that required sedation.  I wasn't a Paramedic at the time so I wasn't aware of the possible complicationa and I certainly wasn't equipped to ask the appropriate questions to ensure the staff was prepared in the case of an emergency.  I was ignorantly blissfull.  I was very fortunate.  His procedure went as planned with no complications.  Many other parents have not been as lucky.  I keep seeing "two deaths"  this is proof that I'm not the only one that has had the pleasure of ignorant bliss.  There have been many more than that.  Is there an agency that accuratly tracks all deaths related to dental procedures nation wide?  I haven't been able to find one.

I don't work for this foundation, I'm not a family member or long time friend.  I just recently met them but I can tell you this is in no way financially driven.  This is driven by a father that misses his daughter every second of every day.  A family that has decided to face their grief day in a day out rather than try to move on so other families don't have to suffer the way they have.  Their courageous efforts should be celebrated.