A retrospective study of pediatric dental patients treated

under general anesthesia

Lanre L. Bello, BDS, MS
College of Dentistry King Saud University, P.O. Box 60169, Riyadh 11545, KSA

The objective of this study was to review all child dental patients who received comprehensive dental treatment under general anesthesia (GA) at the College of Dentistry, King Saud University, between 1982 and 1990. The characteristics of the patients, indication for treatment under GA, types of treatment carried out and subsequent dental care received were analyzed in order to assess the efficacy of this type of care. All relevant data were obtained from the patients' dental records. The sample consisted of 119 patients who were followed up for a minimum of 2 years after the GA. There were 54 males and 65 females. Their ages ranged from 3 to 15 years with a median age of 5 years. Over 61% of them were 5 years or under. Most of the patients were healthy and only 31.1% had medical or developmental disability. Extensive caries coupled with behavior management was the major indication for using this regimen. Only 16.8% were admitted for surgical procedures. Treatment rendered included extractions, amalgam and composite/glass ionomer restorations, stainless steel and strip crown restorations, pulp therapy and placement of fissure sealants. Stainless steel and strip crown restorations were significantly more successful than amalgam or composite/glass ionomer restorations. Total oral rehabilitation was provided at a single operative visit and subsequent dental care devoted to prevention and behavior modification. All patients who needed further treatment during the follow-up visit accepted treatment under sedation and local anesthetic rather than under general anesthetic.