DT 265 - Local Anesthesia

Credits: 2
Variable Credit Course: No

Lecture Hours: 11
Lab Hours: 33
Worksite/Clinical Hours: 0
Other Hours (LIA/Internships): 0

Course Description: Topics include understanding fundamentals in pain impulse generation and transmission, mode and site of action of local anesthetics, onset and duration of action, addressing failures to achieve profound anesthesia, and possible complications associated with administration of the local anesthetic agents.

Prerequisite: Successful completion of Dental Therapy (DT) coursework from previous quarter.
Meets FQE Requirement: No
Integrative Experience Requirement: No

Student Learning Outcomes

Discuss the basic pharmacology of local anesthetics used in dentistry.
Describe basic neurophysiology relating to local anesthesia including fundamentals of impulse generation and transmission, mode and site of action, and basic kinetics of onset and duration of action.
Identify landmarks relevant to the provision of local anesthesia.
Calculate maximum safe doses and duration of local anesthesia agents for children and adults.
Discuss the indications and contraindications for various local anesthesia agents.
Explain causes of failure to achieve profound anesthesia.
Discuss the clinical signs and symptoms of complications from local anesthetic agents.
Prevent needle-stick injuries by demonstrating safety practices.
Administer topical and local anesthetics to attain patient comfort while providing dental treatment.
Assess current theories and topics of oral pain management to provide qualified and comprehensive patient care.

Course Contents

Unit 1: Introduction to Pain; Unit 2: Pain Control
Unit 3: Maxillary Injections; Unit 4: Palatal Injections
Unit 5: Mental and Incisive Injections; Unit 6: Mandibular Injections
Unit 7: Gow Gates Injections; Unit 8: Competency Assessments

Instructional Units: 3.25