* Nitrous Oxide Sedation and Medical Emergencies
PDA’ S FAMILY VACATION DENTAL CONFERENCE
CE COURSES
Thursday, August 14 | 8:15 a. m. – 11:30 a. m. About the Speaker
* Nitrous Oxide Sedation and Medical Emergencies
Craig McKenzie, DMD, MSEd
Three( 3) CE credits recommended for dentists, hygienists, EFDAs and dental assistants.
Education Methods: lecture, slides, case studies and discussion
Medical emergencies can occur at any time and preparation is the key to effectively manage an in-office emergency. This course will use patient-based scenarios to discuss common emergencies to help participants correctly recognize the emergency diagnosis and identify treatment procedures to manage the emergency. Anesthesia related emergencies will be discussed as well as other emergency situations, such as allergy, asthma, hypoglycemia, stroke, seizure, and syncope.
Anxiety about dental treatment can increase the risk of medical emergencies for some patients. This course also will discuss the administration of nitrous oxide / oxygen sedation as a safe and effective technique for reducing or eliminating anxiety during dental treatment.
Upon completion of this lecture, participants should be able to:
• Understand the characteristics, properties, and pharmacology of nitrous oxide.
• Discuss the indications and contraindications for nitrous oxide / oxygen analgesia.
• Understand the parts of nitrous oxide delivery systems.
• Review medical history to identify patients at risk for medical emergencies.
• Identify the most common medical emergencies.
• List the medications and supplies required for the dental office emergency kit.
* Three credit hours can be applied toward the hours needed to renew an Unrestricted Permit and Restricted Permit I. Or, the three hours can be applied toward the State Board of Dentistry requirement that non-permit holder licensees who maintain an office in which general anesthesia, deep sedation or conscious sedation is administered shall complete five hours of SBOD-approved courses related to the modality of anesthesia that is administered in the office.
Craig McKenzie, DMD, MSEd
Dr. Craig McKenzie is an assistant professor of dental anesthesiology and the director of the Center for Patients with Special Needs at the University of Pittsburgh School of Dental Medicine. After completing a dual DMD / MSEd program at the University of Pennsylvania, he trained in anesthesiology at the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center.
Dr. McKenzie has been active in organized dentistry since dental school. He currently serves as a member of the ADA Council on Membership, CODA site visitor for dental anesthesiology, as well as the Pennsylvania Dental Association’ s Membership Committee and New Dentist Committee. Dr. McKenzie has no relevant financial relationships to disclose.
MAY / JUNE 2025 | PENNSYLVANIA DENTAL JOURNAL 15