Dental Hygiene Program

Policy for Local Anesthesia

Dental hygiene students administering local anesthesia

Student should present all relevant information to faculty, which must include:

  1. Reason for anesthesia i.e. Analgesic, Patient comfort, vasoconstriction, etc.
  2. Suggestions for anesthetic agent to be used and rationale.
  3. Injection sites planned and duration of procedure.
  4. Any medical or psychological interactions or concerns.

If use of anesthetic agent is approved, be sure to follow all safety procedures while delivering the anesthetic. Have all supplies needed on a tray or table covered with paper towel. Document in progress notes all procedures and amount used in mgs. The GP Director should be informed that local anesthesia is being delivered. The student should obtain the needed materials from the Prep/Dispense depending on the procedures needed. The dental hygiene student in conjunction with his/her instructor will decide on the appropriate anesthetic drug to use for the particular procedure and provide rationale. The dental hygiene student must alert the dental hygiene faculty of significant medical history and vital signs. This applies to hygiene students not yet trained in Local Anesthesia. Seniors that are trained will administer their own anesthetic with dental hygiene faculty approval. Seniors can ask for assistance and observance as they wish.

Policy for local anesthesia in dental hygiene when you are not giving the anesthetic

After conferring with a dental hygiene instructor, the dental hygiene student arranges for a Dental Hygiene Faculty who is certified to administer anesthesia if the student has not yet been educated on LA.