6 Common Myths Explained to Make Your Local Anesthetic Techniques More Successful

Course Description

Achieving profound and effective local anesthesia is essential in clinical practice. It is a limiting step in most procedures; meaning invasive procedures cannot commence until it is successfully achieved.

Despite the frequency that oral health providers (ie, dentists and hygienists) use local anesthetics during clinical practice, misconceptions remain. The goal of this presentation is to discuss several common ‘myths’ surrounding local anesthesia while incorporating literature-supported learning issues.

This course will review and update local anesthetic techniques, equipment, and current research for all providers.



  • Discuss current local anesthetic market share in the US
  • Review the basic pharmacology of local anesthetics
  • Discuss common ‘myths’ associated with local anesthesia including:


  • Allergy to epinephrine
  • pH and the impact on injection pain
  • Does needle size make a difference?
  • Buffering of local anesthetics
  • Which local anesthetics are safe during pregnancy and lactation?
  • What is the latest on local anesthetic-related paresthesias?


  • Review the armamentarium of local anesthetic delivery



Jason H. Goodchild, DMD received his undergraduate degree from Dickson College in Carlisle, Pennsylvania. He went on to receive his dental training at the University Of Pennsylvania School Of Dental Medicine (Philadelphia, PA). He is currently the Director of Clinical Affairs at Premier Dental Products Company (Plymouth Meeting, PA) involved in developing innovative new products and educating dentists to improve clinical practice. He is also Associate Clinical Professor in the Department of Diagnostic Sciences at Creighton University School of Dentistry (Omaha, NE), and Adjunct Assistant Professor in the Department of Diagnostic Sciences at the Rutgers School of Dental Medicine (Newark, NJ). Dr. Goodchild has published numerous peer-reviewed articles and lectures internationally on the topics of treatment planning, treatment of medical complex dental patients, restorative dentistry, pharmacology, emergency medicine in dentistry, enteral sedation dentistry, and dental photography. Dr. Goodchild serves on the editorial advisory board of Compendium and Dental Products Report. He has been an invited speaker for the Academy of General Dentistry and American Association of Dental Examiners. He is a reviewer for the Journal of the American Dental Association, General Dentistry, Compendium, and Quintessence International. Dr. Goodchild maintains a private general dental practice in Havertown, PA.