It has been the intent of the authors to impress upon the clinician the multifaceted nature of the human pain experience. We have sought to create an understanding of the emotional nature of pain. The treatment of pain as a pure sensation without directing attention to its behavioral and psychological aspects will generally lead to failure in understanding and ultimately in treating this ubiquitous problem in our profession. The use of drugs alone will have only a minor effect on the treatment of pain. Knowledge of environmental control and an understanding and empathetic approach to the patient in pain or in stress will carry the dentist a long way toward his goal of dental treatment without pain or emotional upset.