Nitrous Oxide: Dentists Aren’t Laughing

Two out of three dentists offer nitrous oxide, this survey found, but many docs don’t prefer it – 18% never use it and another 13% rarely do.

"I offered nitrous oxide for twenty years, but there was little demand," said one dentist. "I’m glad I don’t offer it anymore."

Laughing gas dentists "I became a re-born believer in nitrous when I had dentistry done in my own mouth," offered another. "Whatever we can do to relieve our patients' anxiety also reduces our own and increases our bottom line!"

Specialists and rural dentists are significantly more likely than general dentists to offer nitrous oxide.

Here are some dentist comments on the topic:

“People don't ask for it as much as they did 20 years ago. Maybe I'm just getting really good at this Dentistry thing!” (Illinois dentist)
“It's nice for children and really nervous patients. I would have an adult pay for it, but I would give it to kids for my sanity.” (General dentist)
“I have found that a modern, comfortable office with soothing music, comfortable environment, a great staff, and a caring dentist beats out the calming effects of nitrous oxide any day! I rarely ever have the need to use nitrous oxide for our patients (maybe once every 6 months).” (Ohio prosthodontist)
“I charge for using nitrous. This eliminates those that don't really need it. It is expensive to use (cost of gas and staff that must be with the patient at all times).” (Washington dentist)
“The greatest part of dentistry is the interaction with patients and their families. Nitrous oxide and the latest craze "sleep dentistry" limit those interactions.” (Massachusetts dentist)
“I think it's nuts to use nitrous…the dentist and staff are breathing it, it takes tons of time to set up, it's expensive, the equipment is WAY expensive, and some people get sick or very weird on it." (Washington dentist)

Read more: Dentists Who Offer Nitrous Oxide

http://drronaldchalk.com Ron Chalk, D.D.S.

I use NO2 on about 90% of my patients. I do alot of long restorative. cosmetic’, and implant retorative dentistry.
This has been a major factor in providing patients a comfort level they truly appreciate. It makes time go much faster for them. Using the Isolite we don’t do a lot of visitiing during the restorative phase of the appointment. This is all done at the beginning. NO2 and an I-Pod allows them sto be very relaxed. I wouldn’t want to practice withour it. My hygienist also uses it often during her cleaning appointments. Yes it takes more time. But if you are doing more productive cases-who cares?

Ron Chalk
http://www.woodssmiles.com Dr BIll Woods

I dont have it in my office and we really dont need it. As far as using it for cleaning appointments, it IS a drug. Do you need drugs to clean teeth? I think there would be a board issue with that if investigated. Yes, its “pleasant”, and yes, you can charge, but I think that is pushing it. I dont even have but about 2 or 3 patients a year requesting it. When you can perform comfortable dentistry, it is not a necessity. It was touted as a moneymaker 25 years ago, and it was and is still. But thats not why you should be using it.I certainly dont miss all the hoses and scavengers.
http://androidfreeringtones.com//story.php?title=mr--capone-e-lyrics-ringtones-music-videos-clothing-biography-mp3-downloads-dvds-albums-discography Zen M.

Great blog you got here…keep up the good work.
http://me james

Why would you care that it takes a while. To set up and its a pain in the but ?do you enjoy seeing people. In pain and discomfort what. Is the matter with you. I think your chemically imbalanced
Lisa_OU812

I hate going to the dentist. A visit to the dentist’s chair is nothing but pain and agony. I’ve never before been offered Nitrous Oxide until I chipped a tooth last month. My new dentist offered it with a $51 charge not covered by insurance. The re-bonding of my tooth on 1 surface, and a drill and bonding of another tooth on 2 surfaces were fixed with 1 shot of Novocaine, plus the cleaning was all done in under an hour, my butt never grew feet to crawl me out of that chair, no tongue tongs, and I didn’t need the bite guard. It was the most pleasant dental visit I’ve ever had!

I’d visit the dentist more than once a decade if more dentists used it instead of maliciously inflicting pain and misery just for their convenience. I’ve never been called a “great patient” until I was on Nitrous. The visit was improved for everyone with a cheap little inert gas. As for set up, 2 minutes, big whoop, and 2 minutes to get the flow low enough to keep me in orbit but comfortable.

The stigma about drugs is why people don’t ask for it. Let them try it, it’s great stuff.
Anon Patient

I simply will not visit the dentist without it, even for cleanings.

I went many years without visiting a dentist because all of my childhood dental visits were physically and psychologically very painful experiences. No matter how simple the procedure, be it just cleaning, or getting x-rays taken, I would gag, choke, and often vomit. Dental staff seemed to believe I was throwing up because I wanted to and they resented me as a patient. At some point, I was old enough to just say ‘no’ to any additional dental visits.

Eventually as an adult, I knew I had to visit the dentist, but I could not get myself to do so. After a couple of completely failed attempts using oral premedication that still left me axious and gagging, I found a very caring dentist that offered nitrous oxide.

It has been nothing short of wonderful. Unlike the oral medications, the gas simply works, making dental treatment possible,

I can now relax calmly and comfortably through each dental visit. I still quiver with some trepidation in the last minutes before my appointment, but any sense of foreboding is quelled just minutes after initiating administration of the gas. From that point onward, I simply float quietly and happily through the appointment without gagging, choking, or throwing up.

In short, I feel very fortunate to have a dentist who understands my problem and assigns no guilt upon me for needing to use nitrous oxide for even the simplest things.

Perhaps I’m rather unique in this regard, but I suspect otherwise. There are likely many more fearful gaggers out there who would also be able to have proper, regular professional oral care if only they could be relaxed, comfortable, and gag-free with nitrous oxide during each of their visits.