Abstract
For the purpose of investigating the effect of the nitrous oxide inhalation on the cooperation of child patients during dental treatment and on that during the next visit, cooperation was monitored based on the external behavior during dental treatment and during the next visit. The awareness of the child patients and their guardians to this method was examined using a questionnaire.
The effect of nitrous oxide inhalation sedation with respect to improvement of the external behavior had a tendency to increase in accordance with the increase of the age of the patient. It could be applied successfully to even lower age patients. Also, the attitude of the patients who had undergone dental treatment successfully under nitrous oxide inhalation sedation improved during the next appointment.
According to the questionnaire given to the guardians, the desire to have treatment under this method again was a little weaker in comparison with the percentage of favorable response to this method. This reflects the fact that the guardians do not have enough information about the nitrous oxide inhalation sedation and are ill at ease with respect to this method.
As the ordinary people do not have enough information of this method and its safe and comfortable effect is not a common understanding, dentists must explain about the method sufficiently and obtain the informed consent. In addition to this, efforts should be made to improve the recognition of this method among the people.
