Acupuncture Continuing Education
A recent study shows acupuncture as effective as midazolam for the control of dental anxiety.  The study, entitled ‘Auricular Acupuncture for Dental Anxiety: A Radomized Controlled Trial’, appeared in the journal ‘Anesthesia & Analgesia’ (Anesth Analg 2007;104:295-300).  Doctors from the Departments of Anesthesiology, Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, Biometrics, and Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation as well as the Pain Clinic at Hannover Medical School in Hannover, Germany conclude that “auricular acupuncture and intranasal midazolam were similarly effective for the treatment of dental anxiety.”  Of note, patient compliance “significantly improved” for  patients treated with acupuncture or midazolam.