Oral Sedation Recertification: Sedation Related Study of Patient Assessment, Pharmacology of Nitrous Oxide, & Record Keeping

This course contains three modules and five videos. You’ll earn 4 CE credit hours upon completion.

Sedation dentists are increasingly treating older patients. Frequently, these patients have health issues (including respiratory and cardiovascular diseases) that are treated with prescription drugs, surgical implants, and various therapies. To protect patients (and themselves), dentists must know how to measure risks correctly prior to treatment. They must also know how to intervene during treatment, should trouble occur.

In this course, Dr. Leslie Fang explains over three modules how to screen patients for medical problems, quietly, according to the ASA classification. In the fourth module, Dr. Anthony Feck teaches how nitrous oxide works and how it changes inside the body upon administration. In the fifth module, Dr. Feck takes a close look at the way respiratory diseases compromise airways.

Patient Assessment for Sedation Dentistry

Sedation dentists could get overwhelmed trying to categorize patients’ risks according to disease and condition. That’s why categorization should be done rigidly, says Dr. Fang, author of The Ultimate Cheat Sheets: A Practical Guide for Dentists. All diseases and conditions should be able to fit on a one-page summary. If they can’t, it may be that they don’t pose a health problem. In this module, you’ll learn why assigning patients, even non-sedation ones, according to the ASA classification is a good practice.

In addition, you’ll learn:

• How to spot red flags in a patient’s health history
• Why premedication is not needed for patients with stints
• Why Plavix and Aspirin can be a dangerous combination for some patients
• How to distinguish between stable and unstable angina

• The reality of screening new patients for HIV

• The meaning of the “Rule of Four”

… and more.

Pharmacology of Nitrous Oxide

The nitrous oxide/oxygen combination has long been used safely as a dental sedative. Now, though, few dentists fully understand the pharmacokinetic action of the drug. Knowing how the body absorbs, distributes, metabolizes, and excretes nitrous oxide will help ensure that you continue to use it safely. In this module, Dr. Feck traces the movement of nitrous oxide when administered in a dental chair.

In addition, you’ll learn:

• How to calculate a drug’s half-life  
• The difference between MAC in medicine and dentistry
• Why nitrous oxide displaces nitrogen in the body’s cavities

… and more.

Respiratory Disease and Sedation

Why are respiratory diseases so concerning to sedation dentists? Because breathing is life! Any drug, including sedation drugs, that slows down a compromised respiratory system should be applied very carefully and judiciously. In this module, Dr. Feck summarizes the problems with treating patients with lung diseases like COPD and provides options for keeping them safe.

In addition, you’ll learn:

• The primary purpose of the respiratory system
• Why all dentists should be a little “scared” to treat patients
• How the body responds to low levels of oxygen

… and more.

Stay current with changes in patient demographics that will surely affect your practice.

Purchase of this course grants access for one year and requires an internet connection, computer with video and audio capabilities, and in some cases, Adobe Reader to view handouts and articles.

You can download this course and watch it anywhere using the DOCS APP. Get it on Google Play or the Apple Store.

Watch the video and complete the quiz to earn 4 CE credits.

Scientific support and additional resources are available here. 

This course requires an active sedation permit or previous attendance at Adult Oral Sedation Dentistry, Light Sedation: N2O and Oral Sedatives, Master Series – Advanced Sedation, IV Sedation Certification or IV Sedation Recertification.