Dental anxiety is prevalent in a high proportion of the population and this may lead to avoidance of dental. Objective: The purpose of this study was to determine whether the availability of conscious sedation would remove a barrier to seeking dental care for highly anxious patients. Method: A survey was undertaken using self-completion questionnaires. These were completed by adult subjects attending an emergency dental clinic during a three month period. Information regarding the pattern of attendance for dental treatment by the subject, their feelings with regard to dental treatment, their knowledge of the availability of dental sedation and their desire for dental sedation should it be available were also recorded. Results: A total of 72 questionnaires were completed and analysed, with a fairly even distribution between male and female and a wide distribution in social categories according to occupation. 40% of the subjects were classified as highly anxious. Twenty percent of the sample studied attended only when they had dental problems and the reason for this irregular attendance was fear of dental procedures. Eleven percent of subjects admitted they delayed making dental appointments because of fear “often or nearly every time” with one in twenty-five subjects admitting they cancelled or failed to turn up for dental appointments “often or nearly every time”. Thirty-eight percent of subjects were unaware that sedation was available for dental treatment. 56% of subjects reported a desire to have sedation for dental treatment if it were available. Negative feelings towards dental treatment, a history of delaying appointments and of irregular attendance were significant predictors of the desire to have sedation. Conclusion:The increased availability of conscious sedation for dental procedures could remove a barrier to dental care in the dentally anxious.