Retrospective Chart Review of Pediatric Dental Treatments Performed Under General Anesthesia in a Single University Hospital

Objective: This retrospective study aimed to evaluate the age, gender, and systemic disease status of children and adolescents treated under general anesthesia, to identify the types of dental treatments performed, and to examine possible associations between systemic diseases and treatment preferences. Material and Methods: The study included 464 patients aged 3-16 who underwent dental treatment under general anesthesia at a university hospital between 2023 and 2024. Demographic and clinical data were obtained from archive records. Statistical analyses were conducted using R software, and the Mann-Whitney U, chi-square, and Fisher's exact tests were applied (p<0.05). Results: The 5-year-old (28.23%) and 6-year-old (26.29%) age groups represented the largest proportion of patients. Of the total, 43.30% were girls and 56.70% were boys; 23.90% had a systemic disease. The most frequently observed systemic conditions were autism (9.50%), intellectual disability (2.20%), and epilepsy (1.50%). According to the American Society of Anesthesiologists (ASA) classification, 75% of the children were ASA I, 23.90% were ASA II, and 1.10% were ASA III. The most commonly performed procedure was composite restoration (42.47%), followed by tooth extraction (25.24%), pulpotomy (13.65%), and stainless steel crown placement (10.81%). Fissure sealant applications and extractions were significantly more frequent in children with systemic diseases, while stainless steel crowns and pulpotomies were more commonly performed in healthy individuals (p<0.001). Conclusion: Pediatric dental treatments performed under general anesthesia are shaped by the patient's dental and systemic health status. Personalized treatment planning may enhance clinical success; however, further follow-up studies are required to evaluate long-term outcomes.