The effects of nitrous oxide on anxious young pediatric patients across sequential visits: a double-blind study.

Nitrous oxide has acquired widespread use as a tool for managing young dentally anxious children. Clinical impressions have suggested it eliminates uncooperative behavior while alleviating anxiety and facilitating coping skills. Data to support these claims documenting the effects of nitrous oxide across sequential visits has not previously been presented. Research which attempts to clarify the impact of a particular intervention on anxiety reduction, the development of coping skills, or the modification of patient attitudes toward care can anticipate numerous and complex methodological obstacles. Nevertheless, it seems important that longitudinal approaches which examine the anxiety process prospectively are necessary to clarify the immediate and long-term consequences of proposed anxiety management strategies. Further work seems particularly urgent to develop improved methods, in which to assess and measure childhood dental anxiety and the impact of strategies directed at its reduction. Further study which addresses these issues is needed to guide best the effective and appropriate use of nitrous oxide for the pediatric patient.