Course Content and Outcomes Guides (CCOG)

CCOG for DA 161 archive revision 202601

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Effective Term:
Winter 2026

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.

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:

  • Recognition and management of dental office emergencies

  • Emergency preparedness and team response protocols

  • Assessment and interpretation of vital signs

  • Basic life support (BLS) and CPR procedures

  • Management of syncope and postural hypotension

  • Recognition and treatment of allergic reactions

  • Diabetic emergencies: hypoglycemia and hyperglycemia

  • Seizure recognition and safety procedures

  • Respiratory distress and asthma management

  • Hyperventilation and anxiety control techniques

  • Cardiac emergencies and nitroglycerin use

  • Stroke (CVA) recognition and response

  • Airway obstruction and aspiration prevention

  • Emergency drug indications and equipment use

  • Stress reduction and prevention strategies

  • 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