OBJECTIVETo determine the economic effects on the prevention of dental fear (DF) by pre-operation-education or local anesthesia method during the process of tooth filling.

METHODSOne hundred and fifty school children of age 7 to 12, participating in this study, suffered from occlusal caries on their mandibular first molars. They were divided into 3 groups, with 25 boys and 25 girls each. Group A (pre-operation-education) was showed video tape on caries to, familiarized with clinic environment, including dental chairs and instruments; Group B (local anesthesia) received injection of 1.8 ml of 2% lidocaine for local anesthesia about 15 minutes before treatment; Group C (blank) received no intervention for DF. Thereafter, all subjects received same filling treatment. During that process, each DF case was evaluated blindly based on Venham's clinical ratings of anxiety and cooperation. Cost-minimization analysis was then studied.

RESULTSSignificant difference was found between groups, but not between group A and B in DF rate (5/50, 9/50 and 21/50, chi(2) = 15.503 1, P = 0.000 4). The costs of each case in 3 groups were 83.99 Yuan, 87.09 Yuan and 87.76 Yuan respectively.

CONCLUSIONBetween pre-operation-education and local anesthesia methods, the former was worth promoted for it's better clinical effect in DF prevention with lower cost.