Foreign Body Protocols: Prevention, Recognition, and Management of Ingestion and Aspiration in the Dental Office

Wednesday, June 10, 2026
5:00 pm PST / 8:00 pm EST

Improve patient safety and reduce risk.

Foreign body ingestion and aspiration are rare but potentially life-threatening complications in dental practice. Small instruments, implant components, restorative materials, and prosthetic hardware can be accidentally displaced into the oropharynx, airway, or gastrointestinal tract despite appropriate precautions. Every dental office must be prepared with a clear, evidence-based protocol to manage these events rapidly and effectively.

Join Dr. Timothy Hess and DOCS Education for this important presentation based on the 2025 Compendium publication by Hess et al., providing clinicians with practical, step-by-step guidance for prevention, chairside assessment, emergency response, documentation, and follow-up care. Attendees will leave with a straightforward protocol that can be implemented immediately in their own practices to improve patient safety and reduce medicolegal risk.

Learning Objectives:

• Differentiate between foreign body ingestion and aspiration and understand their clinical implications.
• Identify common dental items most frequently involved in ingestion or inhalation incidents.
• Implement preventive strategies including isolation techniques and instrument control.
• Perform appropriate chairside assessment when an ingestion or aspiration event is suspected.
• Outline an evidence-based protocol for emergency management and medical referral.
• Document and follow up appropriately to minimize complications and medicolegal exposure.

This webinar is free to attend. We offer 1 CE for DOCS Members and Trial Members who attend the live presentation.

If you are not yet a Member but would like to earn the 1 CE for attending, as well as experience the many benefits of DOCS Membership, consider joining as a Trial Member for only $1.* There is no obligation or risk; cancel anytime.

About the Presenter(s):

Timothy A. Hess, DDS, MAGD, CDT has a Bachelor of Science with Specialization in Genetics from the University of Alberta. He obtained his DDS degree from the University of Washington in 1994 and serves as an Affiliate Associate Professor in Restorative Dentistry and Affiliate Assistant Professor in Oral Medicine. Dr. Hess is the Director of Education for the Washington Academy of General. His expertise extends to lecturing on implant failures due to restorative procedures and materials, operative techniques, cast gold restorations, and facial aesthetics and therapeutics including botulinum toxin and dermal fillers.

Dr. Hess’s work has been featured in prominent dental publications, and he is a distinguished speaker at various dental conferences. He also holds memberships in esteemed dental organizations and has been honored with four Life Long Service Recognitions from the Academy of General Dentistry. Dr. Hess became a Certified Dental Technician in Digital Workflow and received The Richard V Tucker Award in 2025.

 

*Trial Membership Offer is open to dentists who have not participated in the Trial Membership program within the past two (2) years. After 60 days, if not cancelled, the Trial Membership will upgrade to a Standard Membership at $59.95/mo for a one-year commitment. Refer to terms of service for details.

 

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DOCS Education is designated as an Approved PACE Program Provider by the Academy of General Dentistry. The formal continuing education programs of this program provider are accepted by the AGD for Fellowship/Mastership and membership maintenance credit. Approval does not imply acceptance by a state or provincial board of dentistry or AGD endorsement. The current term of approval extends from 09/17/2000 to 12/31/2026. Provider ID# 217651.