STANDARD COMPETENCIES:

 

 I.      Discuss why dental hygienists need to know about the drugs that patients take and  where they can find drug information.

 II.     Describe how drugs work in the body.

 III.    Explain general pharmacological terminology.

 IV.     Describe untoward drug reactions and their clinical manifestations.

 V.      Explain the process of prescription writing.

 VI.     Describe drugs used in dentistry (autonomic, nonopioids, opioids, antiinfectives, and antianxiety agents), and know their classifications, mechanisms of action, pharmacokinetics, pharmacologic effects, adverse reactions, contraindications and cautions, and therapeutic uses.

 VII.    Discuss drugs that may alter dental treatment (cardiovascular drugs, anticonvulsants, psychotherapeutics, autacoids and antihistamines, adrenocorticosteroids, other hormones, respiratory, and gastrointestinal drugs).

 VIII.   Describe drugs used for emergencies, including the clinic emergency kit. Problem-solve case-based scenarios regarding drug emergencies.

 IX.     Explain dental drug interactions.  Problem ¿solve case-based scenarios regarding drug interactions.

 X       Discuss general considerations regarding drug abuse.

 TOPICAL OUTLINE:

 

 I.      General Principles

         A.      Information, Sources, and Regulatory Agencies

         B.      Drug Action and Handling

         C.      Adverse Reactions

         D.      Prescription Writing

 II.     Drugs Used in Dentistry

         A.      Autonomic Drugs

         B.      Nonopioid (Nonnarcotic) Analgesics

         C.      Opioid (Narcotic) Analgesics and Antagonists

         D.      Antiinfective Agents

         E.      Antifungal And Antiviral Agents

         F.      Antiaxitey Agents

         G.      Oral Conditions And Their Treatment

 III.    Drugs That May Alter Dental Treatment

         A.      Cardiovascular Drugs

         B.      Anticonvulsants

         C.      Psychotherapeutic Agents

         D.      Autoacoids and Antihistamines

         E.      Adrenocorticosteroids

         F.      Other Hormones

         G.      Respiratory and Gastrointestinal Drugs

 IV.     Special Situations

         A.      Emergency Drugs

         B.      Drug Interactions

         C.      Drug Abuse