DHY 122 - Dental Hygiene Theory 3 Pain Management

2 credit hours - Two hours of lecture weekly; one term.

Examine the application of various physical, chemical and psychological modalities to increase client comfort and control pain when providing dental hygiene therapeutic services. Emphasis is placed on dental hygiene administration of local dental anesthetics and nitrous oxide and oxygen sedation. Describe how to administer and monitor local anesthetics and nitrous oxide to patients for dental procedures as required by the Maryland State Board of Dental Examiners to obtain certification.

Prerequisite(s): DHY 110 , DHY 112 , DHY 114 , and DHY 116  with a grade of C or better in each course.

Corequisite(s): DHY 120  and DHY 124 .

Course Outcomes:
Upon completion of this course, the dental hygiene student will be able to:

1. Describe the application of various physical, chemical and psychological modalities to increase client comfort and control pain when providing dental hygiene therapeutic services.

2. Explain the components of the preoperative evaluation of a client, deriving indications or contraindications to local anesthetic use and predicting potential complications.

3. Identify the types of pain control available to clients.

4. Develop a plan for anesthetizing any region of the oral cavity for a dental hygiene procedure.

5. Develop an evidence-based approach to helping clients cope with pain that may accompany dental hygiene treatment.

6. Explain the rationale and basic principles of nitrous oxide and oxygen sedation in pain and anxiety control and as an adjunct to local anesthesia.

7. Critically evaluate reported advances and research on local anesthetic agents and techniques.

8. Explain the critical procedures to manage complications/medical emergencies.