OVERVIEW

Airway Resistance During Sedation is organized by Dentaltown, L.L.C.

Released: 01/01/2017
Expiration Date: 06/30/2028

Overview:
Sedation is becoming a more common service both offered by dentists and expected by patients. Practitioners who offer sedation often express the desire for more formalized knowledge at the pre-doctoral level. This article introduces two airway resistance concepts, the Bernoulli effect and Poiseuille’s law, to the reader with explanations how their principles work to impede adequate airflow to the lungs. The airway anatomy is defined and divided into upper and lower segments to aid the reader in understanding where the actions of each principle most easily occur. Airway resistance leading to complete obstruction and subsequent apnea is a leading cause of sedation-related emergencies in the dental office. Understanding the dynamics of the Bernoulli effect and Poiseuille’s law will aid the sedation dentist in reacting quicker to airway difficulties.

Educational Objectives:
Upon completion of this course, you should be able to:

Sedation services are an option that dentists can provide safely and patients expect, especially given the increasing complexity of general dental surgeries.
Dentistry is unique compared with other surgical procedures, in that sedation dentists must balance a safe, patent airway with the occlusive nature of dental procedures.
The principles of the Bernoulli effect and Poiseuille's law.
That upper airway structures are more prone to collapse because of the Bernoulli effect.
And that lower airway structures are more prone to effects from Poiseuille's law.

Note: There is no fee to view this course. There is a fee of $36 to take the exam and claim CE credits for this course.