Local Anesthesia for the Dental Hygienist Exam A& B| 2026/2027 Edition –Actual Exam Q & A

Local Anesthesia
for the Dental
Hygienist Exam A&
B| 2026/2027
Edition –Actual
Exam Q & A

,Below is a focused, exam-oriented review of Local Anesthesia for the Dental Hygienist
Exam, organized exactly how it’s commonly tested (NBDHE / regional & school exams).
Use this as a last-minute cram + concept refresher.




1. PURPOSE OF LOCAL ANESTHESIA
Local anesthesia is used to:

 Control pain during dental hygiene procedures
 Increase patient comfort and cooperation
 Allow thorough scaling, root planing, and periodontal therapy




2. TYPES OF LOCAL ANESTHETICS
A. Amide Anesthetics (MOST COMMON – metabolized by liver)

Mnemonic: LAMB

 Lidocaine
 Articaine
 Mepivacaine

,  Bupivacaine

✔ Safer, fewer allergic reactions
✔ Used in modern dentistry

B. Ester Anesthetics (rare, metabolized by plasma esterases)

 Procaine
 Benzocaine (topical)

⚠ Higher allergy risk (PABA)




3. VASOCONSTRICTORS
Purpose:

 Prolong anesthesia
 Decrease bleeding
 Reduce systemic absorption
 Lower toxicity

Common Vasoconstrictor:

 Epinephrine

Epinephrine Concentrations:

 1:100,000 – most common
 1:200,000 – cardiac patients
 1:50,000 – surgical/hemostasis

MAX EPINEPHRINE DOSE:

 Healthy adult: 0.2 mg
 Cardiac patient: 0.04 mg (VERY TESTED)




4. MAXIMUM RECOMMENDED DOSES (MRD)
Lidocaine 2% with epi

 7 mg/kg
 Maximum: 500 mg
 ~ 11 cartridges (1.8 mL)