Updated for 2018

The basic armamentarium for the administration of local anesthetics includes the syringe, cartridge and needle. Proper assembly and use of these items minimizes the risk of complications arising during injection, such as shattering of cartridges and needle breakage. Prior to the administration of drugs the doctor is expected to have knowledge of the health status of the patient receiving the injection. The medical history questionnaire is reviewed with an emphasis on local anesthetic-related concerns. As the delivery of ‘painless’ injections is foremost on the patient’s list of dental desires, the basic local anesthetic injection technique is reviewed.

The basic armamentarium for local anesthetic delivery – the syringe, cartridge and needle – is reviewed in this program along with evaluation of the patient prior to receiving an injection. A step-by-step review of the basic local anesthetic injection technique is provided.

Learning Objectives:

1. List & describe the function of the items of local anesthetic armamentarium
2. Describe the reason behind, and the technique of, aspiration
3. Describe the proper assembly of the local anesthetic armamentarium
4. List & give examples of ASA 1 through ASA 4 patients
5. List & describe the basic local anesthetic injection technique