Local Anesthesia & Infection Control BDNT 3233

Course description:

This course will introduce foundational science and practice for administration of local anesthetic agents used in dentistry. The Local Anesthesia is an introduction to the basic concepts and technique of intraoral local anesthesia. Contemporary knowledge and techniques allow most dental procedures to proceed with little, if any, discomfort.  Techniques of intraoral local anesthetic administration will be taught with emphasis on predicting and preventing complications.

Course Aims:

This course aims to provide students with knowledge and skills in the implementation of local anesthesia and develop a plan for anesthetizing any region of the oral cavity for a planned dental procedurewith emphasis on infection complications.

Course outcomes:

On completion of this course the student will be able to: 
  • Describe the physiology of the peripheral nervous system and the effects of local anesthesia on neurotransmission.
  • Describe the pharmacology of local anesthetic and vasoconstrictor solutions, and apply this knowledge clinically.
  • Perform preoperative evaluation of a patient, deriving indications or contraindications to local anesthetic use and predicting potential complications.
  • List potential complications associated with local anesthesia use and steps taken to reduce their likelihood mainly infection.
  • Describe in detail the equipment used in dental local anesthesia and the purpose behind each component.
  • Identify the tissues innervated by each of the sensory nerves serving the oral cavity.
  • Develop a plan for anesthetizing any region of the oral cavity for a planned dental procedure.
  • Maintain infection control and properly dispose of sharps. 
  • Perform preoperative evaluation of a client for indications, contraindications, or modifications to the use of pain control in the administration of local dental anesthetics
  • Successfully anesthetize areas of the oral cavity for dental procedures, using correct technique.