Скачать или смотреть The Truth About Local Anesthesia in Dentistry: Controversy, Tips & Real Talk

Are dental assistants really giving injections now? Is articaine safe for mandibular blocks? How do dental professionals handle tough patients and social media backlash? In this episode of “Straight Up With Steph,” I sit down with anesthesia educator and dental hygiene entrepreneur Tina Clarke to go deep on the evolving landscape of local anesthesia in dentistry.

Tina shares her recent experience certifying Oregon’s first dental assistants to administer local anesthesia—a “history-making moment” that sparked heated controversy and even online bullying. But this conversation is about much more than internet drama! You’ll get real-world insights on clinical technique, patient management, and the best ways to keep your own skills sharp and your patients safe.

In This Episode, You’ll Learn:
💉 The scoop behind Oregon’s decision to allow dental assistants to give local anesthesia and why education quality matters more than ever.
💉 How Tina handled intense backlash and bullying online—plus her advice for dental professionals facing change and criticism.
💉 What really goes into training dental assistants? The curriculum covers anatomy, pharmacology, medical emergencies, and more.
💉 Common myths (and facts!) about articaine, including its safety for mandibular blocks and what the evidence actually says.
💉 Ergonomic tips for giving comfortable, safe injections—protect YOUR body and your patient’s experience!
💉 Strategies for managing big tongues, small mouths, anxious patients, and tricky anatomical situations.
💉 A breakdown of topical anesthetics, buffering, alternative block techniques, and even the latest pain management tools.
💉 The surprising medical conditions (like Ehler-Danlos Syndrome and cannabis use) that can impact anesthesia effectiveness.


Whether you’re a hygienist, assistant, dentist, educator, or just curious about what happens (behind the scenes) in the dental chair, this episode is PACKED with must-know advice, fresh perspectives, and practical tips you can use right away.


About Tina:

Tina Clark, RDH, MEd is the leading voice in anesthesia dental education. From head & neck anatomy, medical emergency management, and practical tips and tricks to getting anesthesia right every time, Tina employs adult learning principles, equipping her course attendees for success. A nationally published author and founder of Teacher Tina RDH, she keeps her skills and knowledge current while continuing to serve the profession as a clinician, educator, trainer, and speaker. In addition, Tina is an approved provider by the Oregon and Georgia Board of Dentistry to provide education for the initial permit for local anesthesia. As well as an American Heart Association Certified BLS instructor. As an active member of the American Dental Hygienists Association, an approved CE provider by the American Academy of Dental Hygiene, Tina’s passionately serves her profession. She has been a practicing clinical dental hygienist for over 20 years and an educator for over 15. She received her bachelor’s degree in dental hygiene in 2001 and her master’s degree in education in 2013. Her teaching, training, and presenting style is upbeat and fun, making even the most difficult topics a delight to learn.



Connect with Tina:
Teacher Tina RDH Website: https://www.teachertinardh.com/
Instagram:   / teacher_tina_rdh  
Facebook: ​​  / teachertinardh  
YouTube:    / @teachertinardh  



Timestamps:
00:00 Introduction of Tina Clarke
02:04 First Dental Assistants to Give Local Anesthesia
26:05 Tips for Clinicians Feeling Stressed About Giving Injections
30:29 Tips for Mandibular Injections
33:58 What to Do When Patients Aren’t Numb
35:18 Does Articaine/Septocaine Cause Parathesia?
39:54 Advice for When Patients Can’t Open All of the Way
41:52 Working Around Large Tongues
44:10 How to Deal with Patients’ Anxiety During Injections
47:02 Discussing Topical Anesthetics
49:29 Different Syringes You Might Experience
52:06 Ergonomic Tips When Doing Injections
54:39 What About the Synapse?
56:16 Should We Be Buffering Local Anesthetic?
59:44 New Medical History Concerns with Patients
01:00:02 How to Connect with Tina Clarke



Disclaimer: The opinions expressed by guests on this podcast are their own and do not necessarily reflect the views of Polished Posture. The information shared in this podcast is for educational and entertainment purposes only and should not be considered medical advice. Always consult a qualified healthcare professional for any health concerns or before making significant lifestyle changes.

To connect with me:

➡️Instagram:   / steph.polishedposture  
💻My Website: https://www.polishedposture.net
📨Email: [email protected]

🛒My Store: https://polishedposture-shop.myshopif...

💌Newsletter signup: https://www.polishedposture.net/subsc...

Thank you for watching!