Local Anesthesia for the Dental Hygienist

Description of Program
Local anesthesia is a type of anesthetic used to prevent pain in a specific area of the mouth during dental treatment by blocking the nerves that transmit pain.  The Indiana Dental Practice Act permits a dental hygienist to perform the administration of local dental anesthetics under the direct supervision of a licensed dentist. The program will provide the didactic (online) and laboratory instruction required for licensure as established by the Indiana State Board of Dentistry.  

Refer to 2011 Indiana State rules 2011 Code 1C 25-13-1-10.6

This program satisfies the educational requirements for local anesthesia for the state of Indiana. This program may NOT meet the requirements set forth by another state. Completion of this program does NOT result in the acquisition of a license to provide anesthesia in Indiana. Further actions must be taken to complete the process with the Indiana State Board of Dentistry.

Who Should Enroll in this Program?
This program is designed for English-speaking licensed dental hygienists who want to receive certification in the administration of block and local infiltration anesthesia.  Interested participants must be a dental hygienist who holds an active license in the State of Indiana.

Participation in the local anesthesia program includes not only the experience of administering anesthesia but also the experience of receiving anesthesia.

Delivery of Content
This program is organized into distinct parts: online instruction followed by on-site laboratory instruction. 

Part I: Online Instruction
This program includes fifteen (15) hours of online continuing education.  Didactic program content is delivered asynchronously via Blackboard, the University of Southern Indiana online learning management system.  Participants will be granted access to the course Blackboard site six weeks prior to the laboratory day. This online learning management system provides an opportunity for interaction with program faculty while learning in the comfort of your own home or office.  Program staff are available during business hours by phone or email to assist participants with technical issues or concerns. 

Note: Many businesses, especially government agencies or health institutions, utilize security firewalls.  Access to web links within program and communication from the instructor or other students may be blocked. We recommend not using a work email address for this course.

The online content is divided into five modules, which include recorded presentations and corresponding quizzes. The presentations cover pain control concepts, pharmacology, injection preparation fundamentals, clinical administration of local anesthesia, and managing unexpected scenarios. Interaction with faculty may occur as feedback to study guides, within discussion boards, or via email.  All modular quizzes must be completed with a minimum cumulative average of 75% prior to the scheduled laboratory date.

Part II: Laboratory Instruction
The program includes fourteen (14) hours of laboratory experiences where participants learn techniques in local anesthetic administration on clinical partners.

Laboratory sessions will be held on a Saturday, and Sunday and if necessary the next Saturday at the University of Southern Indiana, Health Professions Center, room 1044; 8600 University Boulevard, Evansville, IN 47712. USI is located on Highway 62, two miles west of Evansville.

Participation in the local anesthesia program includes not only the experience of administering anesthesia but also the experiences of receiving anesthesia.

The University of Southern Indiana does NOT provide professional liability insurance for participants for this program. Our recommendation is that each participant carry their own liability insurance while participant in this program.   

Textbook for Local Anesthesia
Required Text: Basset. K. , DiMarco, A., & Naughton, D. (2015). Local Anesthesia for Dental Professionals 2^nd edition. Person Education ISBN: 9780133077711

Program Schedule
This activity is offered once a year.  Online instruction (access for six weeks) must be completed prior to the schedule laboratory dates. Laboratory sessions will be held on a Saturday and Sunday at the University of Southern Indiana, located in Evansville, Indiana.

Learning Outcome
The learning outcome of this program is to enable the learner to incorporate best practices related to the administration of local dental anesthetics.   

Program Objectives
At the conclusion of this program, the participant will be able to:

1. Discuss the theory of pain control.
2. Explain the psychological aspects of pain control.
3. Describe the neurophysiology of nerve stimulus transmission.
4. Discuss head and neck anatomy as it relates to local anesthetic administration.
5. Apply the pharmacology of local anesthetics/vasoconstrictors to clinical practice.
6. Assist in selecting the appropriate clinical techniques to control pain and anxiety.
7. Complete a comprehensive physical and psychological evaluation of clients prior to administering local anesthetic.
8. Prepare and disassemble the appropriate armamentarium for local anesthesia while demonstrating proper infection control techniques.
9. Demonstrate proper application of topical anesthetic and discuss the rationale for its use.
10. Locate anatomical sites for specific local anesthetic injection techniques.
11. Demonstrate techniques used for local anesthesia administration for all maxillary and mandibular injection sites in a safe and effective manner.
12. Recognize and manage local and systemic complications associated with the use of local anesthetic agents.
13. Assist in the management of medical emergencies related to the use of local anesthetic agents.
14. Demonstrate appropriate record keeping of local anesthetic techniques.

Contact Hours
29 contact hours (15 hours for the online instruction and 14 hours for the laboratory sessions)

Successful completion of this program does not guarantee expertise in the content. Clinical experience and judgment, coupled with an understanding of the content, are necessary to attain competency. This program satisfies the educational requirements for local anesthesia for the state of Indiana. This program may NOT meet the requirements set forth by another state. Completion of this program does NOT result in the acquisition of a license to provide anesthesia in Indiana. Further actions must be taken to complete the process with the Indiana State Board of Dentistry.

Criteria for Successful Completion
Participants must be a dental hygienist who holds an active license in the State of Indiana.

• Submit registration and payment.
• Submit proof of a current Indiana dental hygiene license, a current Health Care Provider CPR card, and a completed medical form.
• Complete the online course content with a minimum cumulative average of 75%.
• Full attendance at all laboratory sessions (14 hours), successfully completing all required injection experiences.

Indiana State Certificate Requirements
A dental hygienist must:

• Complete a course in local anesthesia that meets IC 25-13-1-10.6
• Complete the Commission on Dental Competency Assessments (CDCA) online examination.
• Apply to the State of Indiana for a permit in local anesthesia.

Faculty Name and Credentials
Emily Holt, MHA, RDH, CDA, EFDA

Conflict of Interest Statement
No individual in a position to control content has any relevant financial relationships.

Accreditation
The University of Southern Indiana is an approved provider for continuing education by the Indiana Health Professions Bureau and the Illinois Board of Dentistry.

The Dental Hygiene Program at the University of Southern Indiana is accredited by the Commission on Dental Accreditation of the American Dental Association, a specialized accrediting body recognized by the Council on Postsecondary Accreditation and by the United States Department of Education.