The recreational abuse of nitrous oxide by health professionals.

Nitrous oxide, first used clinically in 1844, has enjoyed a long history as a highly popular and effective agent in the fields of medicine, dentistry and veterinary medicine. It has undergone periods of enthusiastic acceptance which have been followed by brief periods of doubt and concern regarding its clinical efficacy and safety. The past twenty years have proven to be a period of renewed enthusiasm within the dental profession concerning N20-02. Historically, N2O-O2 has been considered a nearly ideal agent with regard to safety. However, recent research indicates N20-02 may not be as safe as once considered. This is particularly true in terms of the health professional administering the drug. Many factors have been responsible for this, including a changing philosophy regarding the use of this drug, and a continual improvement in the design and safety of inhalation sedation units.