Back row l-r: Sarah Lindley (senior nurse), Sheila Gurung (dental nurse), Sam Mitchell (dental nurse), Michelle Kennett (senior nurse), Julia Whitehead (practice manager). Front row l-r: Dr Richard Flanagan (specialist orthodontist) and Agnes Wrodarczyk with her son Henry

The dental team at the Richard Flanagan and Associates orthodontic practice in Canterbury, put their medical emergencies training to good use recently when they brought a 10-month-old local child back to life.

Canterbury resident Agnes Wrodarczyk was at home with her baby son Henry on 19 April when he appeared to suffer a seizure and his heart and breathing stopped. Panicking, Agnes and her partner Adrian Littler rang 999 then decided to take Henry to the nearby orthodontic practice.

Specialist orthodontist Dr Richard Flanagan and senior dental nurse Michelle Kennett performed CPR and managed to resuscitate Henry. By coincidence, the dental team had attended their annual medical emergencies update just one week earlier.

'After about 30-40 compressions the baby just sprang to life,' said Dr Flanagan. 'It was the most amazing feeling. After ensuring the airway was clear of obstruction, we initiated CPR with 4-5 rescue breaths via an Ambu bag. The important thing to remember is to ensure the lungs are inflating either with air or positive pressure oxygen, which is what we used in Henry's case.'

Paramedics arrived and Henry was taken to Ashford Hospital, where he spent the night. He has since made a full recovery. It is believed that the seizure may have been caused by a virus.

Jo Williams, the practice manager, said that the incident highlighted the importance of regular training in emergency procedures for the dental team. 'Especially as in this instance, it was a member of the general public and not a patient who accessed the surgery, reflecting the general public's reliance on dental professionals as individuals who should be competent in coping with medical emergencies.'