I’m absolutely terrified of needles. Just hearing the word “injection” sends shivers down my spine. So when I sat down in the dentist’s chair and the dentist calmly announced, “I’ll give you a little numbing needle to make you comfortable,” I panicked. “No, no, no! I hate needles—they freak me out!” I blurted, eyes wide.
She paused, then suggested, “Alright. How about nitrous oxide? It’s just a little mask.” Relief—until I thought about that mask covering my face. “No thanks. The thought of a mask suffocates me.”
She smiled empathetically and asked, “Okay… do you have any objections to taking a pill?” That I could handle. “Nope. Pills are fine.” Before I knew it, I had been given an oral sedative—an anti-anxiety pill to take before the procedure.
It worked—or more accurately, it worked wonders. I stayed relaxed, needle-free, and mask-free throughout the whole session. The procedure was done calmly, and I didn’t even remember the discomfort—or lack thereof!
Turns out this is a recognized solution in sedation dentistry. For patients who suffer from needle phobia or feel claustrophobic with masks, oral conscious sedation (like benzodiazepine pills) is a proven alternative. It helps people stay calm, remain responsive during the procedure, and even partially zone out, while avoiding syringes and masks entirely.
