This course conforms to the American Dental Association (ADA) Guidelines for Teaching the Comprehensive Control of Anxiety and Pain in Dentistry. It is designed to meet the educational requirements for the nitrous oxide/oxygen inhalation sedation permit as promulgated by the Massachusetts Board of Registration in Dentistry. Participants will learn various techniques and protocols designed to achieve nitrous oxide/oxygen sedation through both lectures and hands-on clinical training. A patient-centered approach to care is emphasized with lectures on appropriate patient assessment/selection, medication selection, airway management, patient monitoring, and practical emergency management. Upon successful completion of a post-test, participants will receive the certification documentation of course completion.

Prerequisite: Participants must be certified in CPR prior to registration.

Topics will include:

• Historical, philosophical, physiological, and psychological aspects of anxiety and pain control
• Patient evaluation, selection, monitoring, and records.
• The stages of drug-induced C.N.S. depression through all levels of consciousness and unconsciousness
• Review of pediatric and adult respiratory and circulatory physiology and related anatomy
• Pharmacology of agents used in inhalation sedation
• Indications and contraindications for use of inhalation sedation
• Review of dental procedures possible under inhalation sedation
• Prevention, recognition, and management of complications and life-threatening situations
• Administration of local anesthesia in conjunction with inhalation sedation techniques
• Introduction to potential health hazards of trace anesthetics
• Discussion of abuse potential and hallucinatory effects