Nitrous Oxide and Dental Personnel Concerns: Contamination & Scavenging

Credit Details
This electronically delivered self-instructional program is designated for 1.5 hours of CE credit by Farran Media.
AGD Code: 340.

The fee to view this course is $36. This cost includes the fee to take the exam and claim your CE credits.

Synopsis:
This course is specifically designed to mitigate any concerns dental staff may have when working in offices where nitrous oxide – oxygen inhalational sedation is provided. Perfect for every clinician, hygienist or team member who may be under the impression that the chronic environmental exposure to nitrous oxide could result in some type of fetotoxicity or teratogenicity in an expectant employee; this program debunks that myth.

This comprehensive review of animal studies, early non-clinical trials which led to the development of safer masks and scavenging systems and finally clinical trials which reinforce the wide margin of safety that this gas provides, this is a foundational course for all oral healthcare practitioners. As the late Dr. John Yageila is often quoted, “there has never been a death in a dental office, while dentistry is being done and nitrous oxide is the sole sedative being used.” We now know that this level of safety is not only imparted to our patients, many of whom may be pregnant, but definitely to our frontline workers who may be considering starting a family but are concerned about working in an office where nitrous oxide – oxygen inhalational sedation is provided.

Case studies will augment the delivery of key points and a problem-based learning approach is encouraged so that each participant’s questions are addressed. After all, if the oath we all took upon graduation was to, “First, do no harm,” then why would you not want to offer your patients and staff the best and safest treatment possible?

Educational Objectives:
Upon completion of this course, you should be able to:

• Discuss the challenges with some of the early animal studies investigating the safety of nitrous oxide
• Understand the clinical significance of a well-fitting nose-piece or mask
• Learn how to keep your office safe with a checklist from the ADA Advisory Panel on nitrous oxide safety
• Recognize the proposed biochemical pathway in which nitrous oxide could be associated with teratogenicity
• Appreciate the overall safety of nitrous oxide – oxygen inhalational sedation and how to counsel and advise staff on measuring and minimizing any potential occupational exposure

Description of Speaker:
Dr. Mark Donaldson received his baccalaureate degree from the University of British Columbia and his Doctorate in Clinical Pharmacy from the University of Washington. He completed a residency at Vancouver General Hospital, and has practiced as a clinical pharmacy specialist, clinical coordinator and director of pharmacy services at many healthcare organizations in both Canada and the United States. He is currently the Associate Principal of Clinical Pharmacy for Vizient’s Advisory Solutions, and lives in Whitefish, Montana.

Dr. Donaldson is a Clinical Professor in the Department of Pharmacy at the University of Montana in Missoula, Clinical Associate Professor in the School of Dentistry at the Oregon Health & Sciences University in Portland, Oregon, and affiliate faculty in the School of Dentistry at UBC. He has a special interest in dental pharmacology and has lectured internationally to both dental and medical practitioners. He has spent the last 22 years focusing on dental pharmacology and dental therapeutics, and is a leader in the field.

Dr. Donaldson has published numerous peer-reviewed works and textbook chapters. He currently serves on the Editorial Board for the Journal Healthcare Executive and the Journal of the American Dental Association and is a reviewer for over ten other different journals. He is board certified in healthcare management and is the Past-President and current Regent of the American College of Healthcare Executives’ Montana Chapter. Dr. Donaldson was named as the 2014 recipient of the Bowl of Hygeia for the state of Montana and is the 2016 recipient of the Dr. Thaddeus V. Weclew Award. This award is conferred by the Academy of General Dentistry upon an individual who has made outstanding contributions to the medical, dental and pharmacy literature. This year, Dr. Donaldson was conferred by the Canadian Dental Association (CDA) in Ottawa with the, “Special Friend of Canadian Dentistry Award for 2019.” This award is given to an individual outside of the dental profession in appreciation for exemplary support or service to Canadian dentistry and/or to the profession as a whole.

Disclosure:
In the past 12 months, the lecturer/speaker declare that they have had a financial interest, arrangement or affiliation within the field of dentistry or health care with the following: School of Dentistry at the OHSU, University of Washington, University of British Columbia, University of Montana.

Legal Disclaimer:
The CE provider (Farran Media) uses reasonable care in selecting and providing content that is accurate. The CE provider, however, does not independently verify the content or materials. The CE provider does not represent that the instructional materials are error-free or that the content or materials are comprehensive. Any opinions expressed in the materials are those of the author of the materials and not the CE provider. Completing one or more continuing education courses does not provide sufficient information to qualify the participant as an expert in the field related to the course topic or in any specific technique or procedure. The instructional materials are intended to supplement, but are not a substitute for, the knowledge, expertise, skill and judgment of a trained health care professional.

Licensure:
Continuing education credits issued for completion of online CE courses may not apply toward license renewal in all licensing jurisdictions. It is the responsibility of each registrant to verify the CE requirements of his/her licensing or regulatory agency.

State CE Requirements:
Click Here for CE requirements by state. Please note that this information is current as of the time of listing. This information is subject to change at any time from the state boards. For the most up-to-date information, please contact your state board directly.

Refund Policy
There are no refunds for Online CE courses. Please contact technical support if you run into technical difficulty.

For any questions, please contact Nareg Apelian, DMD, Director of Continuing Education at nareg@farranmedia.com