Local Anesthesia by the Tennessee Dental Hygienist

  • Hybrid

    This course includes online lessons to be completed prior to the two day hands-on clinical portion of the course.

  • CE

    This course provides 32 hours of continuing education credit.

  • Board Approved

    This course is approved by the Tennessee Board of Dentistry to meet the Local Anesthesia Administration certification requirements for Registered Dental Hygienists.

    • Course Fee

      $1200
    Come Learn With Us!

    Choose Your Class

    This course includes online lessons to be completed prior to the two day hands-on clinical portion of the course. View our current course offerings and select the date and location that works for you!

    There are limited seats available for each class. You can view the number of available seats on the checkout page. 

    You must be logged in to your existing account or create an account to enroll.

    Chattanooga Area

    Friday & Saturday
    March 7-8, 2025
    • Times: 
      Friday 9:30 AM EST
      Saturday 9:00 AM EST
    • Instructor: 
      Dr. Granberry
    • Location: 
      5564 Little Debbie Pkwy #120
      Ooltewah, TN 37363

    Don't see a date that works for your schedule?

    Additional classes will be available soon. Keep watch, or place your name on the waiting list and we will contact you as soon new dates are open for enrollment.

    Waiting List

    More Course Dates Coming Soon!

    Sorry, all of our Tennessee Local Anesthesia classes are full at this time. Additional classes will be available soon. Keep watch, or place your name on the waiting list and we will contact you as soon new dates are open for enrollment.

    Frequently asked questions

    Is this course approved by the Tennessee Board of Dentistry?

    Yes! You will receive 32 hours of continuing education credit when you take this course. In Tennessee, however, only half of CE hours earned online apply to yearly CE requirements, and, because 20 of those 32 hours are online, a hygienist will receive 22 CE hours towards yearly requirements.

    Do I need to be registered as a dental hygienist in the state of Tennessee to take this course?

    Yes, you must be registered and have a valid registration number. If you take this course prior to being fully licensed (pending licenses are not permitted), the course will not be accepted by the Tennessee Board of Dentistry!

    Is this course accepted by other states?

    It depends on the state. To be sure, contact other state boards of dentistry.

    Do I need to contact the Board of Dentistry?

    Yes! The form you must send to the Board is available after you complete the course.

    How is the course organized?

    The course has a didactic portion and a clinical portion. The didactic portion accounts for 20 hours and the clinical portion accounts for 12 hours of the 32 hours of CE credit. The didactic portion of the course is divided into topics with each topic containing multimedia presentations and practice tests. In addition, there will be learning activities that should be performed in the office to help you master the material.

    What will we be doing during the clinical portion?

    After reviewing the online material, you will be practicing the administration of all the major local anesthetic injections until clinical competency is obtained. Injections include the posterior, middle and anterior superior alveolar, the greater palatine, the nasopalatine, the inferior alveolar, the long buccal, and the mental.

    What do I need to do after completing the course?

    After successfully completing the course, you must to contact the Tennessee Board of Dentistry and apply for a local anesthesia externship. During the externship, you will administer a minimum of 44 different injections in a dental office under the direction of the practicing dentist.

    What materials do I need to bring to the clinical portion of the course?

    Bring clinical attire including safety glasses, lab coat, close toed shoes, and latex free gloves if necessary. In addition, bring three sterilized anesthetic syringes.

    Do I need to bring a patient to the clinical portion?

    No, you do not need to bring a patient unless there is a reason you cannot receive local anesthesia. You will give and receive injections as a student partner. Please contact the instructor if there is a question.

    Where will the clinical portion of the course be held?

    The clinical portion is held in different locations across the state. The dates and locations are posted above. 

    What type of computer equipment will I need?

    Any computer with an internet connection will be adequate for this course, but a high speed internet connection for your computer is highly desirable.

    How much does the course cost?

    The fee for the course is $1200.

    How do I pay for the course?

    Payment is easy. Clicking the "Enroll" button will take you to the checkout page to purchase the course. PayPal and all major credit cards are accepted. You can pay immediately using PayPal, a safe and reliable online payment program. You do not need a PayPal account to use your own credit card. However, if you create a PayPal account, you have the option to "Pay Later", which breaks the total fee into multiple payments with no interest.

    What is your refund policy?

    • If you wish to cancel a course within 30 days of enrolling, and you have not completed any lesson tests, you will receive a full refund (minus 10% processing fee).
    • If the course has a scheduled in-person session, you will receive a 50% refund if you cancel less than 30 days before the course.
    • If you start the course by taking lesson tests and do not wish to continue, you will receive a 50% refund.

    How do I register for the course?

    Click the "Enroll" button on the course location/date you would like to attend. Complete the purchase of the course. You will be able to begin the online lessons immediately after purchase.

    Do I need to purchase a textbook or other study material?

    The textbook used for this course is:
    Handbook of Local Anesthesia, 7th Edition
    Author: Stanley F. Malamed
    Paperback ISBN: 9780323676861
    eBook ISBN: 9780323582094

    We recommend purchasing a copy instead of renting so that you will have a copy to refer back to as needed in the future. You may use older editions of the book, just keep in mind that the page numbers for the reading assignments will not be accurate for older editions. Used copies can sometimes be found on eBay or Chegg.

    What will I learn?

    After completing this course, you will be able to:
    1. Appreciate the philosophy and psychology of local anesthesia,
    2. Evaluate patient medical histories and physical status including measurement of vital signs,
    3. Recognize indications and contraindications for use,
    4. Identify anatomical landmarks that pertain to administration,
    5. Understand the physiology of nerve conduction,
    6. Understand the pharmacology of local anesthetics and vasoconstrictors,
    7. Select and prepare proper armamentaria,
    8. Record local anesthetic procedures and complications,
    9. Manage medical and legal complications,
      Recognize and manage post-injection complications,
    10. Manage reactions to injections,
      Employ infection control techniques including disposal of sharps,
    11. Administer local anesthetic agents with emphasis on technique, aspiration, slow injection, minimum effective dosage,
    12. Prevent, diagnosis and manage medical emergencies,
    13. Recognize, manage and treat toxic reactions to local anesthetics and vasoconstrictors,
    14. Recognize, manage and treat allergic reactions to local anesthetics and vasoconstrictors,
    15. Recognize, manage and treat drug interactions with local anesthetics and vasoconstrictors,
    16. Calculate highest safe dose based on patient weight and/or age,
    17. Recognize the need for reinjection,
    18. Administer local anesthesia by infiltration,
    19. Administer local anesthesia by nerve blockage,
    20. Monitor patient physical status while under the effects of local anesthetics.
    Our team

    Meet Your Instructor

    Write your awesome label here.

    Dr. Amelia Granberry

    Dr. Granberry is a passionate and caring dentist and dental educator. She loves sparking excitement for developing new hands-on skills and compassionate care for patients in the dental field.

    Her desire for helping others led to her professional development as a general dentist, professor of dental hygiene, and clinical instructor since graduating from Medical College of Georgia in 2008. Dr. Granberry has taught local anesthesia and other certification courses to dental professionals since 2013. It’s important to her that participants learn the information and skills in an environment that promotes compassion, ease, and confidence.

    In her personal life, she appreciates time with her family, the Chattanooga community, and all that nature has to offer. She enjoys hiking, yoga, meditation, dance, and music in her free time.

    What We Offer

    What's included in this online course?

    Current evidence-based curriculum

    Our faculty's expertise will help you become an expert in the techniques of local anesthesia.

    Study at your own pace

    You can enroll in this course prior to the hands-on date and study at your own pace. All online material must be completed prior to the hands-on date.

    Unique learning experience

    You will not learn just by watching many hours of videos. We are offering interactive courses with small lessons and quizzes to improve your knowledge.