The American Dental Association's (ADA) Council on Scientific Affairs announces the awarding of its first Seal of Acceptance for a defibrillator to the Philips HeartStart OnSite and HeartStart FR2+ defibrillators.
Defibrillators provide treatment for sudden cardiac arrest (SCA), a leading cause of death in the United States. SCA is an electrical malfunction of the heart typically associated with an abnormal heart rhythm known as ventricular fibrillation. Defibrillators deliver an electrical current to the heart, helping to restore a normal heart rhythm.
The ADA's report on "Office Emergencies And Emergency Kits," published in the March 2002 issue of the Journal of the American Dental Association includes consideration of an automated external defibrillator for the dental office.
Although strictly voluntary, about 400 companies participate in the Seal program. Some 1,300 dental products carry the Seal of Acceptance, an important symbol of a product's safety and efficacy.
The ADA awarded its Seal of Acceptance to the HeartStart Defibrillators based on the comprehensive body of peer-reviewed, published scientific evidence.
According to Philips Medical Systems, the HeartStart OnSite Defibrillator is intended to be easy to use for minimally trained responders. The HeartStart FR2+ Defibrillator is designed for first responders, such as flight attendants, nurses, police officers and designated workplace responders who participate in regular training.
The ADA's Council on Scientific Affairs evaluates therapeutic agents, drugs, materials, instruments, and equipment employed in the diagnosis, treatment or prevention of dental disease. It does so for products offered to the public or the profession and further critically evaluates statements of efficacy and advertising claims.
For more information about the ADA, visit the Association's Web site at www.ada.org.
