Accidental ingestion of a dental irrigation needle: a case report.

BACKGROUND

Providing patient's safety during dental treatment procedures is mandatory. One of the preventable issues in dental treatments is foreign body ingestion or aspiration. Despite the rarely occurrence, these accidents could not be ignored due to high potential adverse consequences.

CASE REPORT

This case represents a rare incidence of an accidental ingestion of a curved irrigation needle by a 5-year-old boy in root canal treatment. Patient monitoring with chest and abdomen radiographs was done till, on the third day, the needle expelled uneventfully without surgical intervention.

CONCLUSION

Since most of dental treatments require small and sharp instruments, following the preventive and standard protocols is strictly recommended. In the case of accident, oral health care professionals should be aware of how to manage life-threatening situations.