May 22, 2010
Harrisburg, PA – Recent state legislation allows dental hygienists who have completed the necessary training to administer local anesthesia to their patients. Since most hygienists in Pennsylvania have not been trained in this procedure, few are certified.
HACC, Central Pennsylvania’s Community College, is filling the gap with the necessary training for hygienists to become certified.
Local Anesthesia for Dental Hygienists gives licensed dental hygienists the knowledge and skills required by the State Board of Dentistry. Training is scheduled on weekends to accommodate working hygienists. The next session is 7:30 a.m.-5 p.m. Saturday and Sunday, June 26 and 27, and 7:30 a.m.-5 p.m. Saturday and Sunday, July 17 and 18, in Select Medical Health Education Pavilion 103 on HACC’s Harrisburg Campus, One HACC Drive.
"Many dental providers see this as a tremendous advance in the dental profession,” said Donna Traaen, director of dental hygiene at HACC. “Now a hygienist will not have to wait for a dentist to administer anesthesia for a procedure, possibly interrupting service to another patient. The anesthesia can be administered by the hygienist allowing for more efficient use of the doctor's time while still providing the clients the highest standard of care.”
“In anticipation of the new legislation, the dental hygiene faculty attended advanced training sessions taught by the anesthesia department of the University of Pittsburgh School of Dental Medicine. Faculty then developed the required continuing education course necessary for anesthesia certification by the Pennsylvania State Board of Dentistry. We knew we needed to get the right kind of training to our area hygienists quickly," said Traaen.
The cost is $980 and includes continental breakfasts and lunches. Students must provide their own scrubs, clinic shoes and safety glasses. They also must bring photo identification, a copy of their current license, CPR/BLS certification and proof of current personal liability insurance.
Contact HACC’s Noncredit Healthcare Education office, 221-1351 by June 21 for the sessions that begin June 26.
Another course is scheduled over two weekends Aug. 14 and 15 and Sept. 18 and 19.
Please click the links below to share the latest #HACCnews on YOUR social media sites.
