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EpiPens!

Do you or someone else you know carry an EpiPen? They're quite commonly carried, so let's start from the top! What IS an EpiPen?

An EpiPen is a "pen" that has a dosage of the drug epinephrine, which stops anaphylaxis, which a severe allergic reaction involving the throat to close, from being fatal. Anaphylaxis can be triggered through contact with a substance that a person is allergic to, such as peanuts. Not everyone is highly allergic to substances to the point that anaphylaxis occurs when they come in contact with it, so not every person with allergies needs an EpiPen.

The most important thing to remember is that anaphylaxis is deadly. If not treated immediately, a person going into anaphylaxis can die. Sometimes, the allergic reaction will solve itself, but it is NEVER a good idea to wait and see if the reaction will go away on its own. If a person is going into anaphylactic shock, administer their EpiPen immediately if they are unable to do so themselves, or call for emergency services if they do not have one.

What are the signs of anaphylaxis?

Symptoms of anaphylaxis include:

difficulty breathing or shortness of breath

inability to swallow

hives, redness, swelling, and itchiness on the skin

cramps, nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea

lightheadedness, fainting, increased heart rate, decreased blood pressure, and weak pulse

How do I properly administer an EpiPen?

A good saying to remember is "blue to the sky, orange to the thigh." When you look at an EpiPen, you'll notice that one end is blue, and the other is orange. The orange end of the EpiPen is the end in which the needle will come out. It is imperative that you remember that this is the end that will be administering the epinephrine. You do NOT want to put your finger(s) or hand anywhere over the orange end of the EpiPen. The blue end is a safety cap! The EpiPen will NOT eject any epinephrine if this blue cap is not removed. EpiPens should be administered to the thigh, and clothing does not need to be removed in order to administer the EpiPen. The needle will go through any clothing, and inject the drug directly into the bloodstream. The steps to administrating an EpiPen are as follows:

Hold the EpiPen with the orange end facing the ground, and the blue end facing the sky.

Pull out the blue safety cap. Do not touch the orange end of the EpiPen.

Jab the orange end of the EpiPen into the thigh of the person going into anaphylaxis. You MUST do this hard. Do not worry about hurting the other person, the needle will not eject if you do not jab it hard enough. You are concerned about making sure they stay alive before you are concerned about hurting them.

Hold the EpiPen in place for ten seconds before removing it from the thigh. All EpiPens have directions on the pen, but some EpiPens say to hold them in place for three seconds, other say five, and some say ten. To ensure the ENTIRE dosage has been administered, hold it in place for ten seconds. it is better to hold it in place for longer than needed than not long enough.

Get immediate medical attention. A person who has been injected with epinephrine will need to undergo an examination to ensure they are alright, as epinephrine can cause the heart to stop.

If the person is still experiencing symptoms of anaphylactic shock after approximately five to fifteen minutes after the initial dose, a second dose may be needed. People who carry EpiPens must carry two at all times in case this occurs.

Anaphylaxis and Epinephrine Q&A!

"I don't have an EpiPen, can I use Benadryl?"

Benadryl and Epinephrine are both antihistamines, which means they both have the capability to combat allergic reactions. However, they do not act as fast as each other. Epinephrine is the only drug that can be used to resolve anaphylaxis, as Benadryl does not work fast enough. Remember, anaphylaxis kills! You need something that works FAST to save your or your friend's life!

"Where do I get an EpiPen?"

Your doctor must give you a prescription for an EpiPen! They are not over the counter, and can be quite costly if you do not have insurance- around $650 to $700. However, there are coupons and other offers available which can lower the cost of your EpiPen if you do not have insurance. But remember, not all insurance companies cover the cost of EpiPens, so check with your insurance provider!

"Is there a way I can practice using an EpiPen in case of an emergency?"

There are trainer EpiPens available! Some come with your EpiPen, so you can practice and show trusted individuals how to administer them if you are ever in an emergency!

“What happens if I administer my EpiPen thinking I was having a reaction, but I wasn’t?”

Don’t panic! Still get checked out, because as I mentioned, epinephrine can make your heart stop, but one dose of epinephrine when you don’t need it won’t kill you! Because epinephrine is metabolized fairly quickly, the effects of an unnecessary dosage including increased heart rate and blood pressure, will subside quickly!

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☆An Overview on Dentists☆

What ARE dentists?

Simply put, dentists are the people who work on your teeth and mouth!!! But there are different KINDS of dentists depending on their speciality area. There are…

Orthodontists - they’re the people who straighten your teeth with different kinds of appliances! If you’ve ever had braces, you’ve seen an orthodontist :)

Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons - as the name suggests, they’re surgeons who operate on the teeth, mouth, neck, head, and jaw!

Pediatric Dentists - they work with special needs patients and children! If you, for any reason, need special accommodations that a dentist cannot carry out, you may have to see a pediatric dentist who can accommodate your needs

Periodontists - they work on the bones supporting your teeth and gums!

Prosthodontists - they make prosthetic/artificial fixtures to replace missing teeth! Things such as bridges and dentures are made by prosthodontists

Endodontists - they specialize in root-canal therapy! Pretty straight forward; if you’re having a root canal, you’ll probably be treated by an endodontist

Oral Pathologists - they’re the guys who treat and diagnose oral diseases! If you have a problem orally, you’ll be diagnosed by them, and they’ll prescribe you the appropriate treatment

Dental Public Health Specialists - they educate the public about dental health! They warn people about the dangers of poor dental care, promote good dental care, and teach others how to properly care for their mouths

Education Requirements & Licensure

Before you even make it to dental school, you have to undergo two years of college-level pre-dental education! The majority of dental students have a bachelor’s degree before they enter dental school, and dental school itself typically lasts four academic years.

You need a license to practice in all fifty states and the District of Columbia!! In most states, the requirement to obtain a license is to obtain a degree from an accredited dental school, and pass both a written and practical examination!

Good qualities to have as a dentist include diagnostic skills, good memory, good judgement in regards to shape and color, manual dexterity, scientific ability, good business sense, self-discipline, and good communication skills.

Typically, if looking to advance, dentists spend two to five years in an advanced dental training program to receive certification in a specialty area.

Employment Prospects & Salary

Between 2019 and 2029, projected employment of dentists is 3%; faster than the average!! The demand for dentists is increasing with the aging population, as with all other occupations.

Job prospects should be good due to an increase in the number of dentists who retire!

The average annual income of a general dentist in 2020 was $164,010!

Other Dental Related Occupations?

Of course!! Some other dental related occupations that aren’t dentists are…

Dental Assistants - these guys assist the dentist!!

Dental Laboratory Technicians - they fill prescriptions for dental prosthetics!

Dental Hygienists - they clean your teeth!