Laurie Bricker Biography

Laurie Bricker, RDH, MS, is an assistant clinical professor and junior clinic coordinator, in the Department of Communication Sciences and Oral Health at Texas Woman’s University, where she has served since 2022. She earned her Master of Science in nutrition from Lamar University in Beaumont, Texas, and her Bachelor of Science with a dental hygiene emphasis from Oregon Technical College.

Before entering academia, she gained extensive clinical experience as a practicing dental hygienist in California, where she implemented dental laser programs, trained staff in laser-assisted care, and consulted for Biolase Laser Company. She has also served as faculty for Biolase’s dental hygiene education division.

At Texas Woman’s University, Professor Bricker teaches across the dental hygiene curriculum, including Clinical and Preclinical Dental Hygiene, Pharmacology, and Pain Management. She has played a key role in curriculum innovation, including the integration of diode laser certification, and the development of pharmacology and pain management courses, while also facilitating faculty training in local anesthesia.

Presentation Title

“Local Infiltration Anesthesia: Principles and Techniques”

Presentation Objectives

1. Develop an understanding of the purpose of local anesthesia in dentistry and the mechanisms by which infiltration anesthesia blocks pain during dental procedures.
2. Gain an understanding of commonly used dental local anesthetic agents for infiltration anesthesia, including how patient specific factors and clinical procedures influence anesthetic selection.
3. Review the principals of the infiltration approach to dental local anesthesia, including preparation protocol, patient positioning considerations, relevant anatomical considerations, tissue handling, and safe administration guidelines.