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Predoctoral Course Catalog

DENTPC 553

Dental Curriculum Threads

Local Anesthesia

Course Director: John Evans and Art DiMarco
Credits: 3
Quarters/Yr of Program: Summer / 2

Course Overview

Safe and effective use of local anesthesia is integral to general dentistry and most specialties. Since most dentists must become expert at the safe and effective administration of local anesthesia, the primary goal of this basic course is to provide all dental students with the opportunity to learn the associated skills. Students will also learn scientific concepts and clinical skills associated with the prescription and administration of the local anesthesia necessary for subsequent performance of general dentistry.

Learning Objectives

The student who successfully completes this course will be able to:

1. Assess the risks associated with administration of local anesthesia to dental patients commonly seen in a general dental practice.
2. Use the equipment associated with administration of local anesthesia.
3. Describe in detail the pharmacology of local anesthetics and associated vasoconstrictors.
4. Describe, in three dimensions, the anatomy involved when performing the injections commonly used in dentistry.
5. Discuss problems associated with the administration of local anesthesia including complications.
6. Discuss medicolegal, ethical, and professional ramifications associated with the use of local anesthesia including nerve injury.
7. Discuss the management of difficult and/or fearful patients when performing local anesthesia.
8. Assess one’s own knowledge base and skills critically in light of clinical problems faced daily by dentists in practice.
9. Explain the basic biomedical sciences pertinent to the safe and effective use of local anesthetics in clinical practice.
10. Describe the medical risks and complications, both emergent and routine, associated with the use of local anesthesia in the management of patients in the general dental office.
11. Describe special techniques which may be needed to treat patients who are difficult to manage and/or anesthetize, including patients in all stages of life.

UWSOD Competencies: C-01, C-02, C-03, C-04, C-06, C-09, C-10, C-11, C-12, C-13, C-14, C-16, C-17, C-18, C-23, C-26, C-30, C-31, CE-07

Date last updated: 2022-06-22