The fearful dental patient--a challenge and an opportunity

Two cases of patients treated in the Advanced Education Program in General Dentistry at the University of California, San Francisco, are presented. With alternatives of conscious sedation or operating room treatment provided, these patients chose conscious sedation. A combination of nitrous oxide/oxygen, diazepam and meperidine made it possible for these fearful patients to tolerate dental treatment, as well as allaying their fears so that they could move into a regular recall schedule.