Local Anesthesia

The Local Anesthesia Examination is not part of the ADEX exam series. It is an optional examination offered to any eligible Dental Hygiene professional who wishes to take the exam as part of the certification process to administer local anesthesia. The CDCA-WREB-CITA Local Anesthesia examination can be challenged with a computerized exam only, or in two parts both computerized and clinically based.

It is the responsibility of the candidate to understand the requirements of the jurisdiction in which they wish to practice and select the most beneficial format for the examination. Not all states require both a didactic, computer-based examination and a clinical examination.

Eligibility Requirements

Student: Current enrollment in a degree program at a CODA-accredited dental hygiene school and certification of successful completion of the didactic portion of a course in the administration of local anesthetics.

Graduate: Successful completion of a degree program from a CODA-accredited dental hygiene school and certification of successful completion of the didactic portion of a course in the
administration of local anesthetics.

Computer-Based Simulated Examination

The timed examination is 60 minutes. Multiple choice items are both discipline and case-based and have only one correct response. Up to five (5) field test questions are included, but not calculated in your final score. A maximum of 100 points is possible on the Local Anesthesia Written examination. A final score of 75.00 or higher is required to pass the Local Anesthesia Written examination. Subject matter includes:

• Anatomy (head and neck) and physiology
• Pharmacology of anesthetic agents and vasoconstrictors
• Basic knowledge of nitrous oxide-oxygen
• Method of delivery of local anesthesia, including armamentarium, selection of injection type, and administration technique
• Medical history interpretation; prevention, recognition, and management of complications, and life support

Clinical Examination

Clinical local anesthesia is a patient-based examination. The clinical examination evaluates a candidate’s ability to utilize professional judgment and knowledge to competently administer both an Inferior Alveolar (IA) and a Posterior Superior Alveolar (PSA) nerve block injection on a patient. Candidates must successfully complete the computerized examination before challenging the patient-based clinical examination.