Rapid relaxation--practical management of preoperative anxiety.

Rapid relaxation (RR) is a brief set of suggestions, given while applying topical anesthetic, to reduce anxiety during local anesthesia and subsequent dental treatment. RR is recommended for managing mild dental anxiety, which is almost universal. RR combines elements of hypnosis, meditation and good basic chairside manner. It is noninvasive, takes little additional time, and empowers patients by providing them with an attractive, immediate alternative to catastrophization. We have found that RR markedly improves the quality of the dental experience.