Local Anesthetics Certification
Continuing education for dental hygienists (RDHs) in Edmonton, Alberta
CE credits will vary* | $2,000 | In-person & online | Limited capacity
* This number is an estimate. Your regulatory body will issue the credits.
Dental hygienists can take the first step toward obtaining authorization to administer local anesthetics. Our local anesthetics certification is a clinically focused and applied course that combines self-study and interactive, hands-on training to:
- Review head and neck anatomy.
- Demonstrate competent injection techniques.
- Understand local anesthetic complications and emergencies.
- Gain confidence in the delivery of local anesthetics.
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What you'll learn | Pricing and details | Faculty
What you will learn
This two-part course combines a self-study theory course with the three-day in-person clinical component. After completing the theory course, participants will receive a registration link for the clinical course will be shared and must be completed within eight months of the exam. Participants who complete both components of the course must apply to the Alberta College of Dental Hygienists (ACDH) for authorization to administer local anesthetics.
The course will touch on pharmacology, medical emergencies, and injection techniques; and incorporate the following injections: IO, PSA, GP, NP, MI, IA/L and LB. Participants can expect to review patient and operator positioning, retraction, landmarking, troubleshooting and building confidence. Through instructor observation, feedback and evaluation, participants will fine-tune their local anesthesia skills and increase their safety, efficacy and confidence for delivery.
Theory component
CE credits may vary | $400 | Online | Unlimited capacity
The local anesthetics theory course is a guided, self-study course administered through eClass.
Participants must complete the theory component and the written theory examination at least three weeks before registering for the clinical course. The theory exam is offered monthly at the University of Alberta, and the date is chosen during registration. Exams can also be written at a recognized testing center (testing center fees apply).
Exams are held on the first Monday of each month. CDE also accepts other universities, colleges, libraries, and schools as acceptable testing centers.
Clinical Component
CE credits may vary | $2,000 | Hands-on | Limited capacity
After the theory exam, participants can register and attend the in-person clinical course. In the clinical, participants will practice local anesthetic injection techniques through simulation and clinical learning experiences.
Upon completing the theory and clinical components, participants will receive a certification to administer local anesthesia. Cohorts run every February, November, and June.
To register: Participants will receive the link to register for the clinical component after they pass the theory exam. The clinical portion must be completed within eight months.
Pricing and details
Prerequisites
Participants must:
- Be a certified RDH and hold a current registration practice permit.
- Hold a current health-care provider CPR certification (certificate is valid for 12 months from the issue date).
- Provide a letter of good standing from their regulatory body (if out-of-province).
- Have been practicing in an oral health office for at least six months.
Refunds
Refunds will be subject to a 20% (of course cost) withdrawal fee for withdrawal before course materials have been accessed. Refunds are not available after course materials have accessed been unless the withdrawal is due to a medical condition.
Course materials
Required Text: Malamed, Stanley F.; Handbook of Local Anesthesia, 7th Ed., St. Louis, Mosby Inc. 2019
Exam
A grade of 70% or higher is required to pass. To be exam ready, we strongly recommend a minimum three-month self-study period.
The theory exam is offered monthly at the University of Alberta. Examination dates are chosen when registering. The specific time and location of the exam are confirmed by email at least two weeks before the exam date.
Participants may also choose to write the theory exam at a recognized testing center on a date and time at their convenience. (Testing center fees will apply and are payable by the participant to the testing center.) Participants choosing to write at a testing center must email dentce@ualberta.ca the following information at least two weeks before their exam:
- Name of the testing center
- Name and email of the proctor
- Date and time of the exam
Participants have one year from the completion of their theory exam to complete the clinical module, which is required for certification.
Supplemental exams
Changing exam dates
Candidates may apply for a three-month extension to their theory exam by emailing dentce@ualberta.ca - extension requests must be received two weeks before the scheduled exam date. Note, that there is a maximum of two extensions per participant - each subject to a $100 extension fee.
Missed exams
Refunds are not available for missed exams. Missing an exam results in a fail. The exam can be challenged again after paying the $200 supplemental exam fee.
Rewriting the exam
If a participant fails to meet the passing grade or misses the exam, they can retake the exam by paying the $200 supplemental exam fee; however, participants are limited to one rewrite that must be completed within three months of the first attempt. Failing the second exam attempt If a participant fails to meet the passing grade or misses the rewrite, they must retake the theory course after a six-month waiting period.
How to access
The online theory course offers study guides, learning activities, and quizzes that must be completed sequentially to help participants throughout the course. These materials can be accessed through eClass. Instructions on how to set up your eClass account will be given after course registration.
Online materials are accessible for one year.
View Available Dates and Pricing
Questions?
Contact us at cdehyg@ualberta.ca
Christie Daye
RDH and Assistant Clinical Professor
Day, DipDH, BScDH, MEd HSE, is an assistant clinical professor in the Mike Petryk School of Dentistry. She is currently appointed as a comprehensive care team dental hygiene lead and has taught in a variety of practice settings including long-term care, and at Radius Health & Healing Dental Clinic.
Additionally, Daye teaches pre-clinical and clinical periodontics for first to fourth-year dentistry students and for continuing dental education in the local anesthetic certification course, dental hygiene refresher, and dental hygiene remedial courses. She began her career working in private practice and expanded her experience in the dental industry as a dental hygiene coach for dental office teams. As a practitioner, Daye committed to professional growth and received advanced training in the restricted activity of prescribing.
Recently, Daye completed a master of education in health sciences education at the University of Alberta. The focus of her capping project was a scoping review of educational interventions used to develop emotional intelligence in undergraduate health professions learners.
Kathy Sauze
Dental Hygienist
Since 2007, Sauze, RDH, MHSE, has been a dedicated clinical instructor at the University of Alberta, bringing a wealth of experience and expertise to the dental hygiene and continuing education programs. With a master of education in health professions, Sauze has been part of the University of Alberta's continuing education programs, including local anesthesia and dental hygiene programming.
In addition to teaching, Sauze serves as the clinical course coordinator for the third-year dental hygiene program, where they play a pivotal role in shaping the clinical education experience for students. Sauze is also a proud U of A graduate, furthering their commitment to the institution and its educational mission.
As a regulated member and past chair of the Alberta College of Dental Hygienists (ACDH), Sauze has contributed significantly to the profession, ensuring high standards of practice and continuing professional development.
Kimberly Currie
Assistant Clinical Professor
Kim Currie, RDH, BScDH, is a clinical instructor with the local anesthetics for dental hygienists course and facilitates the elements of prescribing course for dental hygienists with continuing dental education.
She graduated from the University of Alberta dental hygiene diploma program in 2000 and with a bachelor of science in dental hygiene degree in 2001. Always looking for ways to expand her knowledge and practice, she completed the elements of prescribing course through the College of Registered Dental Hygienists in 2010.
She works primarily in general private practice. She is also an associate clinical professor in the undergraduate dental hygiene program at the University of Alberta.
Lori Salame
Registered Dental Hygienist
Salame, DipDH, BSc Hyg, graduated from the University of Alberta dental hygiene program in 2006 and is now a part-time clinical instructor in the undergraduate program as well as in the local anesthetic and dental hygiene refresher program through continuing dental education.
She has practiced in general dentistry and is currently practicing in pediatrics. Her goal is to make students feel empowered and motivated to learn new skills to progress them forward in their careers.
Nadine Rae
Registered Dental Hygienist
Rae, DipDH, BScDH, obtained her diploma in dental hygiene and bachelor of science specialization in dental hygiene from the University of Alberta. She is an assistant clinical professor in the Faculty of Medicine and Dentistry, currently in the position of comprehensive care dental hygiene lead.
In addition to her work with undergraduate students, Rae acts as the clinical coordinator for the continuing dental education dental hygiene refresher course, and instructs clinically in the local anesthetics course.
Teanne MacCallum
Registered Dental Hygienist
MacCallum DA, RDH, BDH, MAEd, began her dental career as a dental assistant (‘97-‘04). After graduating with her diploma in dental hygiene from Dalhousie University in 2007 she moved to Yellowknife, Northwest Territories, where she began her hygiene career.
After spending two years in the Northwest Territories, she returned to Dalhousie University to complete the bachelor of dental hygiene program in 2010. MacCallum taught at Dalhousie University from 2010 - 2019. During that time, she obtained a masters of arts in education from Mount Saint Vincent University in 2017. In 2020, she moved to Red Deer, Alberta, where she continues working in clinical dental hygiene.
As of January 2024, she has been doing locum dental hygiene work in Whitehorse, Yukon, while continuing to work in Red Deer and is a regulated member on the ACDH Council.
Future dates
Are you looking for different course dates? The new course schedules will be available in August.
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