DHY 250 - Pain Management II

Description
This course will provide the dental hygiene student the instruction and lab application necessary to administer nitrous oxide-oxygen inhalation sedation. Topics covered include pain and anxiety management, anatomy and physiology of respiration and airway management, patient assessment, clinical procedures for administration, nitrous oxide and its interaction with the body, emergency procedures, and potential hazards of occupational exposure. Students will practice the titration technique for administration of nitrous oxide‐oxygen sedation in a safe and effective manner to classmates in a clinic setting. Successful completion of this course allows the student to sit for Michigan RDH Specialty Certification in Nitrous Oxide Analgesia.

Credit Hours: 1
Contact Hours: 1
Prerequisites/Other Requirements: DHY 240 and DHY 241 and DHY 242 and DHY 244 and DHY 246 and DHY 249
English Prerequisite(s): None
Math Prerequisite(s): None
Course Corequisite(s): None
Academic Program Prerequisite: None
Consent to Enroll in Course: No Department Consent Required
Dual Enrollment Allowed?: No
Course Fees: $65.00
Number of Times Course can be taken for credit: 1
Programs Where This Course is a Requirement:
Dental Hygiene, A.A.A.S.

General Education Requirement:
None
General Education Learner Outcomes (GELO):
NA
Course Learning Outcomes:
At the conclusion of this course, meeting Commission on Dental Accreditation Standard 2-18, the student will be able to:

Identify the legal and ethical issues associated with the administration of nitrous oxide-oxygen sedation.
Describe the anatomy of the human respiratory system.
Explain how the respiratory system functions during inhalation and exhalation, and the exchange of gases.
Describe how nitrous oxide interacts with the body.
Describe clinical situations that indicate the use of nitrous oxide‐oxygen sedation.
Determine patient conditions that may alter or contra-indicate the use of nitrous oxide‐oxygen sedation.
Demonstrate proper assembly and care for nitrous oxide armamentarium.
Administer nitrous oxide‐oxygen sedation in a safe and effective manner to classmates in a clinic setting.
Practice titration technique for administration of nitrous oxide‐oxygen sedation in a safe and effective manner to classmates in a clinic setting.
Calculate the percentage of nitrous oxide received during the administration of nitrous oxide‐oxygen.
Recognize the signs and symptoms of nitrous oxide-oxygen over sedation.
Demonstrate the proper technique for managing complications associated with the administration of nitrous oxide-oxygen sedation.
Apply the American Dental Hygienist Association Code of Ethics during all clinic sessions.
Describe the problems associated with the recreational use of nitrous oxide-oxygen sedation, and the organizations available to assist with recovery.
Sit for the Michigan Nitrous Oxide Examination for Dental Hygienists.

Course Outline:

Week 1

Introduction to DHY250 & Online Learning

Week 2

History of Nitrous Oxide-Oxygen Sedation
Pain & Anxiety Perception and Mechanism
Options in Pain Management
Anatomy & Physiology of Respiration
Airway Management

Week 3

Pharmacology of Nitrous Oxide
Interaction of Nitrous Oxide with the Body
Patient Assessment for Inhalation Sedation
Proper Assembly & Care of Nitrous Oxide-Oxygen Sedation Equipment
Titration & Sedation Technique
Signs & Symptoms of Proper Sedation

Week 4

Clinical Application of Nitrous Oxide-Oxygen Sedation
Management of Over-Sedation
Potential Hazards for Health Personnel
N2O Abuse Issues
Ethical & Legal Considerations

Week 5

Clinical Application of Nitrous Oxide-Oxygen Sedation

Week 6

Demonstrate Clinical Competency with Nitrous Oxide-Oxygen Sedation

Week 7

Prepare and successfully complete the DHY250 comprehensive final exam.
Complete forms required for the Michigan RDH Specialty Certification in Nitrous Oxide Analgesia

Approved for Online and Hybrid Delivery?:
Yes
Instructional Strategies:
Asynchronous Lecture 65%

Lab 35%
Mandatory Course Components:
None.
Equivalent Courses:
None

Accepted GRCC Advanced Placement (AP) Exam Credit: None
AP Min. Score: NA
Name of Industry Recognize Credentials:

Course prepares students to seek the following external certification:
No
Course-Specific Placement Test: None
Course Aligned with ARW/IRW Pairing: NA

Mandatory Department Assessment Measures:
Clinical Competency for Nitrous Oxide-Oxygen Sedation

Course Type:
Program Requirement- Offering designed to meet the learning needs of students in a specific GRCC program.
Course Format:
Lecture/Lab - Must meet Lecture & Lab Ratios
Total Lecture/Lab Hours Per Week: 1
People Soft Course ID Number: 104236
Course CIP Code: 51.0601
Maximum Course Enrollment: 32
General Room Request: Dental Clinic

High School Articulation Agreements exist?: No
If yes, with which high schools?: NA
Non-Credit GRCC Articulation Agreement With What Area: No
Identify the Non Credit Programs this Course is Accepted: NA

School: School of Health & Exercise Science
Department: Dental Auxiliaries
Discipline: DHY
Faculty Credential Requirements:
Other (list below)
Faculty Credential Requirement Details:
Michigan-licensed Doctor of Dental Surgery (DDS) or Registered Dental Hygienist (RDH) with a Specialty Certification in Nitrous Oxide Analgesia.

Major Course Revisions: N/A
Last Revision Date Effective: 20220222T13:43:18
Course Review & Revision Year: 2026-2027