Course Content and Outcomes Guides (CCOG)

CCOG for DA 161 Winter 2025


Course Number:
DA 161
Course Title:
Patient Management: Pharmacology and Medical Emergencies
Credit Hours:
1
Lecture Hours:
10
Lecture/Lab Hours:
0
Lab Hours:
0

Course Description

Provides an overview of pharmacology and responding to medical emergencies within a dental clinic. Covers drug classifications, administration, therapeutic uses, as well as contraindications, interactions, and adverse reactions. Discusses how to identify and react to medical emergencies within a dental setting. Reviews how to respond to patients with special needs and those with underlying medical conditions, including appropriate accommodations, and oral healthcare adaptations. Prerequisites: Acceptance in the Dental Assisting program.

Addendum to Course Description

Choose appropriate treatment modifications for patients with special needs and medically compromised patients.

Intended Outcomes for the course

Upon successful completion of the course students should be able to:

  1. Recognize pharmaceutical drugs used in the dental practice and medications used by patients.

  2. Identify various medical emergencies and how to respond to them. 

  3. Choose appropriate treatment modifications for patients with special needs and medically compromised patients.

Outcome Assessment Strategies

  • Quizzes

  • Midterm

  • Final

  • Textbook and classroom assignments

Course Content (Themes, Concepts, Issues and Skills)

Themes:

  • Pharmacology 

  • Medical emergencies

  • Patients with special needs

Concepts:

  • Introduction to pharmacology 

  • Drug requirements, agencies, and regulations

  • Drug prescriptions

  • Drug actions, side effects, indications, and contraindications

  • Common drugs used in dentistry

  • Drugs and agents used to treat dental-related infection

  • Drug addiction including opioids and other substances

  • Special needs

  • Medical conditions and how they affect a patient

  • Physical conditions and how they affect a patient

  • Psychological conditions and how they affect a patient

  • How to modify treatment for a variety of special needs and medical considerations 

Issues:

  • Time management

  • Organization