Revised 05/2020

DNA 119 - Dental Therapeutics (1 CR.)

Course Description

Exposes students to concepts and terminology related to pharmacology, pain control and dental medicinal agents. Emphasis is placed on the use of materials in patient treatment. Lecture: 1 hour per week.

General Course Purpose

This course provides a basic understanding of pharmacology as it relates to the field of dentistry and dental assisting. Emphasis is placed on the study of chemical therapeutic agents and their application to clinical dentistry, including their preparation, therapeutic effectiveness, mechanism of action and adverse reactions. Other areas of student include the management of medical and dental emergencies.

Course Prerequisites/Corequisites

  • Prerequisites: DNA 100, DNA 108, DNA 110, DNA 113, DNA 134, and PSY 200
  • Corequisites: DNA 114, DNA 120, DNA 10, DNA 140, and CST 229

Course Objectives

Upon completing the course, the student will be able to:

  • Describe the importance of pharmacology in dentistry
  • Describe the parts of a prescription, as well as the legal aspects for writing prescriptions
  • Describe the difference between brand and generic drugs
  • Describe the methods for the administration of drugs
  • Describe the major drugs used in dentistry
  • Describe the pharmacology of local and topical anesthetics
  • Describe the administration of nitrous-oxide/oxygen sedation
  • Describe the administration of IV drug sedation and general anesthesia
  • Describe the signs and symptoms, as well as the cause and treatment for medical/dental emergencies

Major Topics to Be Included

  • Principles of Pharmacology
  • Drugs Used in Dentistry
  • Topical Anesthetics
  • Local Anesthetics
  • Nitrous-Oxide/Oxygen Sedation
  • Intravenous Drug Sedation
  • General Anesthesia
  • Medical Emergencies
  • Dental Emergencies