Local Anesthesia

Host: Demetra Logothetis, RDH, MS

Descriptions: Enhance your confidence and precision in administering local anesthesia through this comprehensive course specifically crafted for dental hygienists. Delve into the nuances of various blocks, from inferior alveolar to Gow Gates and infraorbital, and master the timing and techniques for each. Identify and correct common mistakes, like hitting the bone prematurely, with the help of practical guidance and clinical videos. Examine the use of Septocaine, grasp dosing strategies, and manage the complexities of patient safety related to epinephrine and overdoses. This course provides you with the essential knowledge, clear resources, and actionable insights needed for safe and effective practice. Upon completion, you will be equipped to confidently administer local anesthesia, maximizing patient comfort and safety while minimizing complications.

Objectives:

1. Enhance Technique Understanding:
• Fine-tune your skills in administering various local anesthetic blocks, with a focus on inferior alveolar and Gow Gates blocks.
• Review and understand anatomical landmarks to improve success rates.
2. Optimize Anesthetic Choices:
• Discuss the pros and cons of using Septocaine, particularly its application in the lower arch.
• Compare and contrast lidocaine vs. Articaine to determine optimal use cases.
3. Patient Safety and Dosing:
• Recognize signs of local anesthesia and epinephrine overdose, and learn proper treatment protocols.
• Introduce simple rules for epinephrine usage based on patient medical history, and remember maximum permissible doses to ensure safe administration.
4. Clinical Application and Decision-Making:
• Analyze patient scenarios to determine the necessity of additional anesthetic use, while adhering to maximum permissible dosing guidelines.
5. Resource Utilization:
• Utilize provided resources, such as clear landmark diagrams and charts for maximum permissible doses, to enhance learning and application.
• Access additional scholarly articles to support ongoing professional development 

Join with an All Access Pass and get immediate access to 24+ CEs a year plus our mobile app for just $133.44/year — or register for this CE session only for $25.

"Excellent review of critical aspects of local anesthesia. It helps clinicians be reminded of how to provide safe anesthesia, while also protecting themselves as a clinician."

"The technique and tips for administering profound anesthesia were very helpful. Review of medical emergencies was a good refresher."

Demetra Logothetis, RDH, MS