Local anaesthesia and medicine at the clinic
Lidocaine, analgesics and antibiotics in practice
Anaesthesia is one of the things that has really made modern dentistry tolerable. The curriculum also highlights knowledge of analgesics and local analgesics as well as antibiotics, antimycotics and antivirals as part of the knowledge you should have from school to the clinic.
§Local anaesthesia — lidocaine is the standard
The most common local anesthetic used in Danish dental care is lidocaine often combined with adrenaline. The adrenaline constricts the small blood vessels around the injection site so the anesthetic works longer and bleeding during treatment is reduced. The anesthetic is injected close to the nerve that supplies the area to be treated and after a few minutes the area becomes numb — an effect that typically lasts one to a couple of hours depending on the agent and amount.
§The assistant's tasks around an injection
- 01Prepare syringe, needle and the correct anesthetic according to the dentist's instructions.
- 02Check patient records for known allergies or previous reactions to anesthesia
- 03Keep an eye on the patient during and shortly after the injection — some react with dizziness or discomfort (vasovagal reaction), especially nervous patients.
- 04Dispose of used needles directly in a needle box (sharp, infectious waste) — never loose in ordinary waste.
- 05Guide the patient that the lips/cheek are numb, so they don't bite or scald themselves while the anesthetic is working.
§Analgesics – pain relief around treatment
Beyond the local anaesthetic, the dentist can prescribe or recommend analgesics (pain relievers) to cover pain after the anaesthetic has worn off — for example after a tooth extraction or a major operation. Which preparation is relevant and in what dose is a medical/dental decision but you must be able to keep track of what has been prescribed and pass the guidance clearly to the patient including anything the patient themselves should be alert to.
§Antibiotics, antifungals, and antivirals
| PLACEHOLDER_57 | Used against | Why it is relevant for you |
|---|---|---|
| Antibiotics | Bacterial Infections, e.g. With Abscess or Before Certain Surgical Procedures in Risk Patients | You must know the principles so you can support correct information to the patient. |
| Antifungals | Fungal Infections in the Mouth | Occurs less frequently but is included in the clinic's drug knowledge |
| Antiviral agents | Viral infections e.g. certain mouth wounds | Part of the basic course's 20 weeks |
§Handling storage and disposal
PLACEHOLDER_60
“Good anaesthesia is invisible to the patient — what they remember is a calm assistant explaining what they can feel and what they don't need to worry about.”