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.

Child ; Dental Anxiety ; economics ; epidemiology ; prevention & control ; Dental Caries ; therapy ; Dental Cavity Preparation ; economics ; methods ; Female ; Humans ; Incidence ; Male

The use of nitrous oxide-oxygen inhalation sedation to relieve anxiety and pain in dental outpatient treatment has been a very mature and safe technique in the world. This technology has been introduced into China for nearly 20 years, and many clinical cases have proved its safety, practicability and effectiveness, which can meet the clinical needs of patients. To further standardize and popularize this technique, the Society of Sedation and Analgesia, Chinese Stomatological Association formed the recommended application guidelines after many discussions and revisions on the basis of widely soliciting opinions and referring to relevant literatures. It covers indications, contraindications, standardized operation procedures, occupational protection, identification and treatment of adverse reactions, training and other aspects. This guideline can be used as a reference for the use of nitrous oxide-oxygen inhalation sedation techniques in the outpatient setting of dentistry.
Anesthesia, Dental ; Anesthetics, Inhalation/adverse effects* ; Conscious Sedation/methods* ; Dental Anxiety/prevention & control* ; Humans ; Nitrous Oxide/adverse effects* ; Outpatients ; Oxygen

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

METHODS150 school children, aged 7 to 12, participated present study. All of them suffered from occlusal caries on their mandibular first permanent molars. They were divided into 3 equal groups, and each had 50, 25 boys and 25 girls. Group1 (pre-operation-education): taking about 1 hour to show them science and educational video tape on caries, then, clinic environment, including machine and instruments, and answering their questions; Group2 (local anesthesia): about 15 minutes before treatment, injecting 1.8 ml of 2% lidocaine for local anesthesia; Group3 (blank): without any measurements for DF. After that, all subjects accepted same filling treatment as usual. DF of each case was evaluated by 3 evaluators blindly based on venham's clinical ratings of anxiety and cooperative.

RESULTSSignificant difference was found between groups (0.57 +/- 0.59, 0.83 +/- 0.66, 1.05 +/- 0.68, H = 18.646, P = 0.0001), also in DF rate (10%, 18% and 42%, chi(2) = 15.5031, P = 0.0004). But not between groups 1 and 2.

CONCLUSIONDuring decayed tooth filling treatment, pre-operation-education is better than that of local anesthesia method, in DF prevention.

Anesthetics, Local ; administration & dosage ; therapeutic use ; Child ; Dental Anxiety ; prevention & control ; Dental Caries ; psychology ; therapy ; Dental Restoration, Permanent ; methods ; psychology ; Education, Dental ; methods ; Female ; Humans ; Lidocaine ; administration & dosage ; therapeutic use ; Male ; Molar ; Treatment Outcome

BACKGROUNDPediatric dental fear, if left unchecked, can persist for a lifetime and adversely impact the physical and psychological health of a patient. In this study, a feasible nonmedical method for relieving pediatric dental fear was investigated.

METHODSA randomized, single-blind, controlled trial model was applied. The juvenile patients experiencing dental fear, whose parents or guardian had signed an informed consent form, were randomly divided into two groups. Group A (n = 50) was the control group, while Group B (n = 50) was the reward group. Participants in Group A accepted routine treatment. Participants in Group B were told that they would obtain a gift as a rewarda for their good behavior if they were compliant during their dental treatments. The Chinese version of the Children's Fear Survey Schedule-Dental Subscale (CFSS-DS) was used to evaluate the level of dental fear of each patient both before and after each treatment. A contrast analysis and a correlation analysis of the results were used to assess the efficacy of the reward mechanism.

RESULTSAll participants in Group B, were obedient during the dental treatment, and they also successfully chose the present they wanted at the end of their dental treatment. Children at different ages showed different reward preferences. Significant difference in the fear scores of the participants in Group B before the treatment and after receiving the reward was found (independent samples t-test, t = 14.72, P < 0.001). In Group A, 86% children's fear score did not undergo a noticeable change.

CONCLUSIONSA reward system is proved feasible to relieve pediatric dental fear, and the form of reward should meet the demand of patients.

Child ; Child Behavior ; Child, Preschool ; Cooperative Behavior ; Dental Anxiety ; prevention & control ; Dentist-Patient Relations ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Reward ; Single-Blind Method