Advocacy News 

ODHA Supports Local Anesthesia for Dental Assistants 

The Oregon Dental Hygienists’ Association supports proposed rule 818-042-0096 that would allow dental assistants who have completed a Board approved course and obtained a local anesthesia certificate to administer local anesthetics and local anesthetic reversal agents under the indirect supervision of a dentist.

ODHA is confident that dental assistants can safely administer local anesthesia under the indirect supervision of a dentist. Dental assistants routinely perform a variety of procedures that require a high level of knowledge & skills. Allowing dentists to delegate this procedure to a dental assistant can make restorative care more efficient for the dentist and more comfortable for the patient.

Please click on Local Anesthesia Functions of Dental Assistants for more information.