Administration of exogenous glucocorticosteroids will cause adrenal suppression lasting for up to 12 months; however, the patient's stress response will return within 14 to 30 days. This difference occurs as a result of the effects of corticotropin-releasing factor on the autonomic nervous system and on visceral systems. A new protocol for glucocorticosteroid replacement therapy is proposed that is based on the patient's ability to respond to dental stress.