General anaesthesia in special care dentistry: Part 3. case series

General anaesthesia is frequently used to provide comprehensive dental care to the varied groups of patients treated in special care dentistry services, as discussed in Parts 1 and 2 of this case series. General anaesthesia provision also offers an opportunity for multidisciplinary team working to support holistic patient care, particularly if investigations are difficult, impossible or compromised owing to patient factors. Thorough patient assessment and consideration, as well as a collaborative approach between the different teams, are required for successful patient-centred care. Reasonable adjustments are often crucial for special care patients, requiring thoughtful planning and consideration from admission to safe discharge. This article presents five case examples of the use of general anaesthesia to provide dental care in complex circumstances. CPD/Clinical Relevance: Examples are presented of how the use of general anaesthesia in special care dentistry requires careful consideration and planning.