Local Anesthesia by the Dental Hygienist
Is this course approved by the Tennessee Board of Dentistry? Yes! You will receive 32 hours of continuing education credit when you take this course. In Tennessee, however, only half of CE hours earned online apply to yearly CE requirements, and, because 20 of those 32 hours are online, a hygienist will receive 22 CE hours towards yearly requirements.
Is the course accepted by other states? It depends on the state. To be sure, contact other state boards of dentistry.
How is the course organized? The course has a didactic portion and a clinical portion. The didactic portion accounts for 20 hours and the clinical portion accounts for 12 hours of the 32 hours of CE credit. The didactic portion of the course is divided into topics with each topic containing multimedia presentations and practice tests. In addition, there will be learning activities that should be performed in the office to help you master the material.
What will we be doing during the clinical portion? After reviewing the online material, you will be practicing the administration of all the major local anesthetic injections until clinical competency is obtained. Injections inclued the posterior, middle and anterior superior alveolar, the greater palatine, the nasopalatine, the inferior alveolar, the long buccal, and the mental.
What do I need to do after completing the course? After successfully completing the course, you must to contact the Tennessee Board of Dentistry and apply for a local anesthesia externship. During the externship, you will administer a minimum of 44 different injections in a dental office under the direction of the practicing dentist.
What materials do I need to bring to the clinical portion of the course? Bring clinical attire including safety glasses and latex free gloves if necessary.
Do I need to bring a patient to the clinical portion? No you don't need to bring a patient unless there is a reason you cannot receive local anesthesia. Please contact the instructor if there is a question.
Where will the clinical portion be held? The clinical portion is held at different locations across the state. Go to "register" at the top of the page to see the locations.
What type of computer equipment will I need? Any computer with an internet connection will be adequate for this course, but a high speed internet connection for your computer is highly desirable.
How much does the course cost? The fee for the course is $900.
How do I pay for the course? Payment is easy. After registering, you can pay immediately using Paypal, a safe and reliable online payment program. You do not need a Paypal account to use your own credit card. However, if you create a Paypal account, you have six months to pay for the course with no interest.
What is your refund policy? You will receive a full refund (minus a 10% processing fee) if you cancel at least 30 days before the course. You will receive a 50% refund if you cancel less than 30 days before the course.
How do I register for the course? Simply go to "register" at the top of the page. Course locations will be listed there.
Do I need to purchase a textbok or other study material? The required textbook is Handbook of Local Anesthesia by Stanley Malmed (5th or 6th edition). If purchasing used, be sure it comes with the instructional video.
What will I learn? After completing this course, you will be able to:
- Appreciate the philosophy and psychology of local anesthesia,
- Evaluate a patient's medical history and physical status including measurement of vital signs,
- Recognize indications and contraindications for use,
- Identify anatomical landmarks that pertain to administration,
- Understand the physiology of nerve conduction,
- Understand the pharmacology of local anesthetics and vasoconstrictors,
- Select and prepare proper armamentaria,
- Record local anesthetic procedures and complications,
- Manage medical and legal complications,
- Recognize and manage post-injection complications,
- Manage reactions to injections,
- Employ infection control techniques including disposal of sharp's,
- Administer local anesthetic agents with emphasis on technique, aspiration, slow injection, minimum effective dosage,
- Prevent, diagnosis and manage medical emergencies,
- Recognize, manage and treat toxic reactions to local anesthetics and vasoconstrictors,
- Recognize, manage and treat allergic reactions to local anesthetics and vasoconstrictors,
- Recognize, manage and treat drug interactions with local anesthetics and vasoconstrictors,
- Calculate highest safe dose based on patient's weight and/or age,
- Recognize the need for reinjection,
- Administer local anesthesia by infiltration,
- Administer local anesthesia by nerve blockage,
- Monitor the patient's physical status while under the effects of local anesthetics.