It requires an understanding of child psychology, pharmacology and child development mixed with patience, love and discipline. In Arizona, the use of laughing gas and other sedative agents requires both extensive additional education, such as that received by oral surgeons and pediatric dentists, as well as a state licensing procedure. The licensing process involves a team of trained professionals observing the doctors actually sedating patients in their office, as well as certifying that the office itself is equipped with advanced monitoring and emergency equipment and the training and knowledge of how to use it. In our office, we do not sedate every child who needs work done on their teeth. Our goals is to treat the child in the safest, least invasive manner possible as the use of any medication always carries with it some risk of a bad reaction. We make every attempt to use our best judgment in determining which children need some form of sedation.