[Aspiration accidents in dental practice].

Lack of symptoms does not necessarily mean that a small foreign body has been swallowed. Symptoms may not be present after aspiration of a foreign body which lodges in the bronchial tract. In any case, the event must be clarified roentgenologically. The patient should be removed from the practice. Ominous symptoms, on the other hand, indicate that a large foreign body has lodged in the trachea or behind the larynx. The patient should be immediately escorded to the hospital in a sitting position. The administration of a sedative is indicated in some cases.