ADED249C: Pain Management

Learning Outcomes

Outcomes will be assessed through self-study modules, quizzes, exams, and a project on local anesthesia. All course outcomes are linked to the course goal listed above. Upon Satisfactory completion of didactic and laboratory local anesthesia curriculum the dental hygiene student will be able to:

Learning outcomes for the administration of local anesthesia:

1. Describe the fundamentals of nerve impulse generation and transmission, and the effects of local anesthesia upon impulse conduction.
2. Discuss the concepts and methods to help in the management of pain, anxiety, and fear in a variety of dental settings.
3. Describe and discuss the importance of the anatomical landmarks, bones, muscles, blood vessels and nerves associated with each type and location of local anesthetic injection.
4. Differentiate and discuss the clinical application between topical anesthesia, infiltrations, field bock, and nerve block.
5. Describe and discuss the clinical applications of pharmacology with the commonly used dental anesthetics including chemical structure, classification, potency, toxicity, mechanisms of action and metabolism of each.
6. Describe and discuss the clinical indications and contraindications of local anesthetic use during patient care.
7. Conduct a patient assessment identifying conditions that influence the selection of a local anesthetic drug, the use of local anesthetics and vasoconstrictors.
8. Identify and describe potential drug interactions and adverse effects with the use of local anesthetics, vasoconstrictor, preservative or other components of the anesthetic solution.
9. Evaluate the patient medical history and physical status to determine the armamentarium, treatment modifications and potential for emergency situations in the administration of local anesthesia.
10. Recognize and manage local and systemic complications due to the injection or local anesthetic solutions, including the causes, symptoms, treatment and prevention.
11. Describe the procedure technique for each type of injection, including correct site for needle penetration and solution deposition, as well as the rationale for the selection of the appropriate local anesthetic.
12. Describe and demonstrate effective communication in proper patient management and techniques for the administration each injection taught within this course.
13. Demonstrate proper handling and infection control technique of the aspirating syringe during and after treatment, including needle recapping, syringe disassembly and cartridge and needle disposal.
14. Discuss ethical and legal considerations when administering local anesthesia in the clinical practice of dental hygiene.

Learning outcomes for the administration of nitrous oxide/oxygen sedation:

1. Explain the physiological and psychological aspects of fear and anxiety in dentistry.
2. Formulate concepts and methods to help in the management of pain, anxiety and fear in a variety of dental settings.
3. Describe the states of consciousness and the levels of anesthesia including pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamics of nitrous oxide on the human body.
4. Evaluate the patient’s medical history and physical status to determine the armamentarium, treatment modifications and potential for emergency situations in the administration of local anesthesia and nitrous oxide and oxygen sedation.
5. Summarize the importance of anatomy and physiology of the respiratory, circulatory, and central nervous systems in nitrous oxide and oxygen sedation.
6. Proficiently demonstrate effective techniques for administration and monitoring for signs and symptoms of nitrous oxide and oxygen sedation.
7. Demonstrate the proper maintenance of N2O-O2 equipment to include infection control procedures, common malfunction, required maintenance, appropriate correction, precautions for safe use.
8. Demonstrate the steps in the administration and monitoring N2O-O2 sedation including:
   1. Patient assessment, indications, contraindications, and potential adverse reaction
   2. Preparation, care planning and consent
   3. Observation and monitoring for response to signs and symptoms
   4. Recovery period
   5. Recording accurate percentage of N2O and additional documentation
   6. Recovery period
   7. Recording accurate percentage of N2O and additional documentation