Do Preventive Programmes Reduce the Need for New Sedation for the Treatment of Oral Pathology?

Abstract Objetives: To analyse the need for re-interventions under deep sedation to treat new oral pathology in a population of healthy children and SHCN who followed a prevention programme during follow-up and to study the influence of parental motivation and child collaboration on the need for re-interventions under deep sedation. Material and methods: A cross-sectional study was carried out in a private clinic in Cartagena (Murcia, Spain), with patients treated under deep sedation from 2006 to 2018, both years included, following the Strobe statement. Results: In this study with 230 patients, 63.05% were referred for deep sedation due to inadequate behavior management in the dental chair. Most patients were between 4 and 9 years old. High rates of dental caries and pulpal pathology were observed, with 47.40% of patients being healthy and 52.60% having special needs. Parental cooperation and participation in preventive programs reduced the need for additional sedation, especially in "cooperative" children, highlighting significant improvements in their awake dental treatment. Conclusions: Prevention programmes, including motivational interviewing, are essential to improve children's behaviour in the dental chair and reduce the need for re-interventions under general anaesthesia or deep sedation. Clinical Relevance: Although patients with special needs do require more sedation during their lifetime due to their inability to cooperate, these programmes are necessary for the maintenance of oral health status and for the early diagnosis of caries lesions.