I don't think the OP's original problem with what transpired was actually whether or not nitrous oxide (or anything else) is administered to kids during a painful dental procedure.

The problem was, as I read in Kathy's original post, when Dad started proudly glorifying the fact that his kid was loving the high from the medication. What kind of message is that to send to your own kid? The parent was at fault, IMHO - not the doctor.

How was that parent NOT promoting recreational drug use for his kid with his ridiculous talk in the waiting room????

I was always scared of the laughing gas. When I came out of it, the dentist always told me what I riot I had been. That was a creepy thing to say to a kid, who had no idea what had transpired. I'm all in favor of any replacement to the laughing gas route, as long as kids are able to cope with the procedure without any pain (obviously -- isn't that what we all want?).

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"The errors of faith are better than the best thoughts of unbelief." - Thomas Russell