Patient Administration & Monitoring of Nitrous Oxide for the Practicing Dental Hygienist

Patient Administration & Monitoring of Nitrous Oxide for the Practicing Dental Hygienist is organized by University of Maryland School of Dentistry (UMSOD) and will be held on Jul 12, 2025 at University of Maryland School of Dentistry, Baltimore, Maryland, United States of America.

Description:
The Maryland State Board of Dental Examiners (MSBDE) adopted rules and regulations which allow properly trained registered dental hygienists to monitor and administer nitrous oxide sedation during dental related procedures. This course fulfills MSBDE educational requirements for registered dental hygienists.

The first portion of this course will consist of four hours of lecture, followed by a written examination. The course will include the history, physiological and pharmacologic effects of nitrous oxide sedation; definitions and descriptions of the physiological and psychological aspects of pain and anxiety; concepts and management of pain and anxiety; indications and contraindications; anatomy and physiology of respiration; medical assessment of a patient prior to administration of nitrous oxide; armamentarium and equipment; moderate sedation, deep sedation and general anesthesia versus nitrous oxide at anxiolytic levels pharmacological and physiological effects of nitrous oxide, including drug interactions; a description of the distinction between conscious and unconscious state; monitoring and evaluating a patient to whom nitrous oxide has been administered; chart documentation; occupations exposure and toxicity; preventing, recognizing and managing possible complications and medical emergencies of inhalation sedation.

Attendees will also participate in a two-hour practical demonstration and proficiency testing where they will administer and monitor nitrous oxide. Course work includes readings and a homework assignment. Course participants must pass the written and proficiency examination with a 75 or greater. This course prepares the participant to successfully pass the CDCA written nitrous oxide examination for certification by the Maryland State Board of Dental Examiners.

Learning Objectives:
Upon completion of this course, the participants should be able to:

• Recognize patient indications for nitrous oxide sedation
• Describe the basic physiology of the human respiratory system
• Describe the pharmacological effects of oxygen and nitrous oxide, including drug interactions
• Assess and manage pain and anxiety
• Assess a patient prior to administration of nitrous oxide
• Describe the stages of anesthesia, and the planes of analgesia, including signs and symptoms of each
• Identify specific clinical symptoms associated with each of the planes of analgesia while administering and monitoring nitrous oxide
• List the steps in administering nitrous oxide sedation
• Calculate the total liters of flow per minute
• Recognize and manage complications and medical emergencies
• Properly record chart entries including administration of nitrous oxide sedation
• List health hazards associated with nitrous oxide toxicity