Local Anesthesia and Nitrous Oxide Analgesia for the Dental Hygienist

Course Description

This six-day course is designed to provide the dental hygienist with the knowledge and skills necessary to effectively administer block and infiltration anesthesia, as well as nitrous oxide analgesia. The course will include classroom and clinical instruction. Participants will work in groups of two or three and administer local anesthesia and nitrous oxide analgesia on each other. The Kentucky Board of Dentistry has approved this course for 47 CEUs of which 32 hours will be didactic instruction and 15 hours will be clinical. Upon successful completion of this course, participants will have completed the educational requirements for local anesthesia and nitrous oxide credentialing in Kentucky 201 KAR 8:562E, Section 11.

Educational Objectives

At the conclusion of this course, participants should have an understanding of:

1. The physiological mechanism of nerve conduction and how local anesthetics agents prevent impulse transmission.
2. Location of hard and soft tissue landmarks associated with the various local anesthetic injections.
3. Describe the neuroanatomy of the trigeminal
4. Identify and assemble the armamentarium necessary for the administration of local anesthesia.
5. Demonstrate correct use of local anesthetic armamentarium.
6. Identify nerve, teeth, and soft tissue structures anesthetized with specific injections.
7. Perform a physical and psychological evaluation with emphasis on patients to receive local anesthesia.
8. Discuss the pharmacology of local anesthetic agents and vasoconstrictors commonly used in dentistry.
9. Calculate the maximum safe dose of local anesthetic agents and vasoconstrictors for individual patients.
10. Describe local and systemic complications that may occur with the administration of local anesthesia.
11. Discuss the management of local and systemic complications that may occur with the administration of local anesthesia.
12. Safely and effectively administer Anterior Superior Alveolar, Middle Superior Alveolar, Posterior Superior Alveolar, Nasopalatine, Greater Palatine, Inferior Alveolar/Lingual, Long Buccal, and Mental nerve block injections.
13. Differentiate between anesthesia and analgesia.
14. Discuss the pharmacology of nitrous oxide/oxygen conscious sedation.
15. List the beneficial and adverse effects of nitrous oxide/oxygen conscious sedation.
16. Identify the contraindications for nitrous oxide/oxygen conscious sedation.
17. Identify and demonstrate the use of equipment/armamentarium for nitrous oxide/oxygen conscious sedation.
18. Describe the three phases in administering nitrous oxide/oxygen conscious sedation.
19. Safely and effectively administer nitrous oxide/oxygen conscious sedation.

Important Course Information

Attendance for all class (online) and clinical (at MedQuest College) sessions is required. Completion of assigned readings from the assigned textbook is expected prior to each class. A definitive review of injection sites and techniques will be further developed through the use of lecture, videotapes, and hands-on exercises.

Each participant will be expected to be both an operator and patient, unless a medical condition precludes the safe administration of local anesthesia. If you are unable to participate as a partner during the clinical portion, you must provide a replacement.

Each participant is expected to professionally contribute to the course. This is demonstrated by attending class both online and in person, being on time, being prepared (coming to class with an awareness of the subject under discussion, wearing appropriate clinical attire, appropriately disinfecting, setting up and breaking down the operatory, following required infection control guidelines, evaluating medical histories of clinical partners, recording legal progress notes, etc.) and contributing to the class discussion.

Each participant must demonstrate competent administration of nitrous oxide sedation and local anesthesia for each of the stated injections according to state regulations. Each participant must successfully complete a comprehensive written examination covering coursework and clinical training in local anesthesia. A score of 75 or better is required.

Required Textbook

Local Anesthesia for the Dental Hygienist, by Demetra Daskalos Logothetis; 3rd Edition; ISBN: 978-0323718561

Dress Code

Professional office scrubs, closed-toed shoes, and crew-length socks should be worn. MedQuest College will provide PPE including disposable gowns, gloves, masks, and eye protection, as well as any necessary procedural equipment.

*Note: Failure to not be in proper dress code will result in dismissal from the course. No refunds will be issued due to dismissal from the course due to dress code issues.

Course Fee

Tuition: $1750

Tuition is payable via check or credit card to MedQuest College – Please call 502-242-0068 to make payment. Tuition includes a continental breakfast, lunch, all needed materials for the course, and the certificate of completion, granted the student passes all course requirements. *Tuition must be received a minimum of one week prior to the course date. Pre-registration is always required.

Refund Policy

A full refund, less a $50 processing fee, will be issued for all cancellations at least one week prior to the course date. Refunds cannot be given for cancellations within one week or after the course starting date. Please note that a request must be received via email before a refund may be processed.

Schedule

Course Presenters

Course Director: Mr. Garrett B. Westerfield, RDH, MAE
Mr. Westerfield is the Dental Hygiene Program Director at MedQuest College. Mr. Westerfield graduated from the University of Louisville with a Bachelor of Science in Dental Hygiene. Mr. Westerfield practiced clinical dental hygiene for a number of years in the Louisville and Lexington areas, and still actively works throughout the year. He was an adjunct faculty at ATA College where he taught Orofacial Anatomy. Mr. Westerfield earned his Master of Arts in Adult Education from Western Kentucky University. He worked full-time as the Clinic Coordinator at Bluegrass Community & Technical College prior to joining MedQuest College’s Dental Hygiene Program. Mr. Westerfield is the course director for Microbiology, Chemistry & Biochemistry, Head & Neck Anatomy, Dental Anatomy & Histology, General & Oral Pathology, Pre-Clinical Dental Hygiene, Dental Materials, Pain Management, and all clinical courses. He holds an active Kentucky dental hygiene license, and is certified in local anesthesia and nitrous oxide, laser debridement, and holds general supervision privileges. Mr. Westerfield serves as an ADEX Dental Hygiene Examiner and an accreditation evaluator for ABHES and CODA. Mr. Westerfield is a member of the American Dental Educators’ Association,  American Dental Hygienists’ Association, and is a past President for the Kentucky Dental Hygienists’ Association.

– These courses are not included in MedQuest College’s ABHES grant of accreditation.