Administration of Local Anesthesia for the Dental Hygienist

Course Goal

The goal of this course is to prepare the practicing dental hygienist to assist the dentist in alleviating and managing patient's dental pain and anxiety. The dental hygienist will be provided background knowledge in how nerve impulses are propagated and blocked, and the mechanics of local anesthetic administration.

Learning Objectives

Upon completion of this course the dental hygiene participant will:

• Understand the philosophy and psychology of local anesthesia,
• Evaluate a patient's medical history and physical status including measurement of vital signs,
• Evaluate indications and contraindications for use of local anesthesia,
• Identify anatomical landmarks that pertain to administration of local anesthesia,
• Understand the physiology of nerve conduction,
• Understand the pharmacology of local anesthetics and vasoconstrictors,
• Be able to select and prepare the proper armamentaria for the administration of local anesthesia,
• Properly record the administration of local anesthetic procedures and complications,
• Be able to manage common medical emergencies as related to the administration of local
• Recognize and manage post-injection complications and reactions to injections,
• Employ infection control techniques including disposal of sharps,
• Administer local anesthetic agents with emphasis on: technique, aspiration, slow injection, and minimum effective dosage,
• Recognize, and manage toxic reactions to local anesthetics and vasoconstrictors,
• Recognize, and manage allergic reactions to local anesthetics and vasoconstrictors,
• Calculate highest safe dose based on patient's weight and/or age,
• Determine the need for reinjection,
• Administer local anesthesia for infiltration,
• Administer local anesthesia for nerve blockage,
• Monitor the patient's physical status while under the effects of local anesthetics.

Required Items

Required texts may be ordered online: Handbook of Local Anesthesia, current edition by Malamed, Stanley F., Mosby, & CD. Supplemental material provided online.

Required clinical supplies (must bring to face-to-face lab): Syringe, clinic jacket, and safety glasses

Tuition and CE Credit

$1,200/per attendee; 35 credit hours

This is a limited attendance course. Applications will be accepted in order of receipt. Application and $500 deposit fee is required for access to the online course material, with final payment due one month prior to the first day of the face-to-face class.