Biomaterial Database

A psychological rationale for the use of nitrous oxide psychosedation for children. 1978

R J Pruhs, and D L Williams

N2O is, perhaps, the best adjunct, available today, in the management of emotional factors which influence problem behavior. It is not panacea, however, and should be used only in conjunction with sound psychological methods. The use of N2O must not be thought of as a method by which dentists can elude their responsibility to deal logically with the fears and anxieties of the patient. The fears and anxieties are frequently the result of rational mental functions flowing logically from the individual's previous dental history and learning experience. Viewed thusly, patients can be assisted to overcome the problems at a logical level, and N2O or other sedatives may be mere tools to assist the patient in overcoming the emotional elements of the situation. The real worth of N2O can only be evaluated intelligently by those who learn to "demand and to expect rational explanation in addition to empirical discovery".

UI	MeSH Term	Description	Entries
D009609	Nitrous Oxide	Nitrogen oxide (N2O). A colorless, odorless gas that is used as an anesthetic and analgesic. High concentrations cause a narcotic effect and may replace oxygen, causing death by asphyxia. It is also used as a food aerosol in the preparation of whipping cream.	Laughing Gas,Nitrogen Protoxide,Gas, Laughing,Oxide, Nitrous
D012054	Reinforcement, Psychology	The strengthening of a conditioned response.	Negative Reinforcement,Positive Reinforcement,Psychological Reinforcement,Reinforcement (Psychology),Negative Reinforcements,Positive Reinforcements,Psychological Reinforcements,Psychology Reinforcement,Psychology Reinforcements,Reinforcement, Negative,Reinforcement, Positive,Reinforcement, Psychological,Reinforcements (Psychology),Reinforcements, Negative,Reinforcements, Positive,Reinforcements, Psychological,Reinforcements, Psychology
D002648	Child	A person 6 to 12 years of age. An individual 2 to 5 years old is CHILD, PRESCHOOL.	Children
D002652	Child Behavior	Any observable response or action of a child from 24 months through 12 years of age. For neonates or children younger than 24 months, INFANT BEHAVIOR is available.	Behavior, Child
D003071	Cognition	Intellectual or mental process whereby an organism obtains knowledge.	Cognitive Function,Cognitions,Cognitive Functions,Function, Cognitive,Functions, Cognitive
D003812	Dentist-Patient Relations	The psychological relations between the dentist and patient.	Dentist-Patient Relationship,Dentist Patient Relations,Dentist Patient Relationship,Dentist-Patient Relation,Dentist-Patient Relationships,Relation, Dentist-Patient,Relations, Dentist-Patient,Relationship, Dentist-Patient,Relationships, Dentist-Patient
D004644	Emotions	Those affective states which can be experienced and have arousing and motivational properties.	Feelings,Regret,Emotion,Feeling,Regrets
D006801	Humans	Members of the species Homo sapiens.	Homo sapiens,Man (Taxonomy),Human,Man, Modern,Modern Man
D000766	Anesthesia, Dental	A range of methods used to reduce pain and anxiety during dental procedures.	Dental Anesthesia
D001007	Anxiety	Feelings or emotions of dread, apprehension, and impending disaster but not disabling as with ANXIETY DISORDERS.	Angst,Anxiousness,Hypervigilance,Nervousness,Social Anxiety,Anxieties, Social,Anxiety, Social,Social Anxieties