10508116Dental Pain Management
Course Information
Description
This course prepares the student dental hygienist to work within the scope of dental hygiene practice to manage pain for dental patients. Students learn to prevent and manage common emergencies related to administration of local anesthesia, prepare the armamentarium, and administer local anesthesia. The course also addresses the recommendation of alternative pain control measures.
Total Credits
1
Course Competencies
  1. Take measures to prevent and manage common emergency situations related to the administration of local anesthesia
    Assessment Strategies
    by giving a written, oral, or role play response to given scenarios
    Criteria
    you evaluate a thorough health history
    you determine the effects prescription and non-prescription medications the patient is taking might have on the person as a whole
    you determine how medications the patient is taking or the patient's disease state should influence the administration of local anesthesia
    you analyze the relevance of the any drug related allergies
    you identify factors that could predispose the patient to an allergic reaction to a local anesthetic
    you describe steps that you would take to prevent an adverse reaction
    you describe clinical manifestations that would signal an adverse reaction
    you correctly describe the protocol that should be taken to manage an adverse reaction
    you accurately identify legal and ethical issues associated with the administration of local anesthesia to the given patient

  2. Select anatomical landmarks for administering local anesthesia
    Assessment Strategies
    by indicating the landmarks on a diagram, model, or patient
    given a scenario in which local anesthesia is needed
    Criteria
    you indicate the correct landmark for administering the local anesthesia in terms of type of anesthesia, the procedure, and the patient
    you describe how the administration of the local anesthesia is likely to affect the surrounding nerves, muscles, ligaments, blood vessels & boney structures
    you flag the potential for adverse affects
    you use correct medical/dental terminology

  3. Characterize the pharmacological properties of anesthetic solutions
    Assessment Strategies
    in a written or oral response to given case scenarios that present patient cases involving the administration of anesthetic solutions
    by answering questions that require you to apply knowledge about this competency (Your instructor may require several written exams as a part of this course. You will be notified in advance.)
    Criteria
    responses present indications and contraindications for the given pharmacological solutions
    responses describe the mechanisms of action for the given pharmacological solutions
    responses predict possible complications indicating potential allergic reactions, predisposing factors, and clinical manifestations
    responses propose strategies for preventing complications
    responses propose strategies for managing negative patient reactions in the event they arise

  4. Characterize the dental hygienist role in the administration of local anesthetic agents
    Assessment Strategies
    in written or oral responses to case studies or scenarios concerning administration of local anesthetic agents
    by answering questions that require you to apply knowledge about this competency (Your instructor may require several written exams as a part of this course. You will be notified in advance.)
    Criteria
    each response describes the indications that call for the administration of a local anesthetic in the given case study or scenario
    each response points out risks, precautions, or contraindications for administration of the local anesthetic in the given case study or scenario
    each response recommends a specific local anesthetic to be used for the situation described in the given case study or scenario
    each response explains why you recommended the specific local anesthetic for the situation described in the given case study or scenario
    each response describes how the dental hygienist would administer the local anesthetic for the situation described in the given case study or scenario
    each response is in line with accepted practice
    each response describes a dental hygienist role that is within the legal scope of practice

  5. Prepare local anesthesia armamentarium
    Assessment Strategies
    on a peer or client patient
    in a clinical setting
    Criteria
    you select and assemble the appropriate local anesthesia armamentarium, based on patient need
    you demonstrate the proper steps in loading an anesthetic syringe.
    you demonstrate the proper steps in recapping the needle.
    you demonstrate the proper steps in unloading the anesthetic syringe.
    you demonstrate the proper technique for placing an additional cartridge into the anesthetic syringe.
    you use the appropriate local anesthesia armamentarium, based on patient need

  6. Administer local anesthesia
    Assessment Strategies
    by administering the following local anesthesia: Posterior Superior (PSA), Greater Palatine (GP) local anesthesia, Nasopalatine (NP) injections, Supraperiosteal (Infiltration )(SI) injections, Alveolar/lingual Block (IAL) injections, Mental/Incisive Block (M) injections, Buccal Nerve Block injections (B), Periodontal Ligament injections (PDL), and Intraseptal (IS) injections
    on a peer or client patient
    in a clinical setting
    Criteria
    you prepare proper armamentarium for administering the local anesthesia
    you perform the correct steps in the correct order
    you observe safety precautions
    patients are thoroughly devoid of sensation
    patients experience no negative effects

  7. Recommend alternative pain control measures
    Assessment Strategies
    working with a peer or client patient
    Criteria
    you recognize the need for pain management
    you verify rationale for resorting to alternative pain control measures
    you explain the options to the patient
    you recommend an feasible and effective alternative
    you explain why your recommendation is likely to work

  8. Monitor nitrous oxide conscious sedation (optional)
    Assessment Strategies
    working with a peer or client patients
    in a clinical setting
    Criteria
    you explain rationale for why/why not the patient should receive nitrous oxide conscious sedation.
    you assemble the appropriate nitrous oxide conscious sedation armamentarium, based on patient need
    you prepare proper armamentarium for delivery of nitrous oxide conscious sedation.
    you monitor patient vital signs
    you alert the dentist to potential problems
    you recognize problems that arise
    you take appropriate action to address problems