What does this research mean for the field?

The primary reasons for utilizing dental general anesthesia in pediatric patients are extensive treatment needs, young age, parental preference, lack of cooperation, and medical comorbidities. Novelty: ClaimNovelty.CONFIRMATORY. Consensus alignment: ConsensusAlignment.NEUTRAL.

What question did this study set out to answer?

This research aims to understand the use of general anesthesia in pediatric dental treatments and analyze referral practices among pediatric dentists.

March 14, 2026Open Access

Pediatric dental treatment under general anesthesia: a retrospective analysis of clinical indications and a survey of pediatric dentist referral practices

Key Points

This research aims to understand the use of general anesthesia in pediatric dental treatments and analyze referral practices among pediatric dentists.
Retrospective cohort study of electronic medical records for patients undergoing dental general anesthesia.
Distribution of a questionnaire to pediatric dentists at professional conferences regarding their perspectives on general anesthesia.
Analysis of responses to identify trends in dental anesthesia indications.
245 dental records were analyzed, revealing extensive treatment needs (56%) as the primary reason for anesthesia use.
Young age (41%) and parental preference (39%) were significant factors influencing the decision for general anesthesia.
Younger children often required anesthesia due to extensive caries, while older children faced issues related to behavior and medical conditions.

Abstract

Introduction The utilization of general anesthesia for pediatric dental treatments has increased. This study aimed to investigate the reasons for dental general anesthesia use in a pediatric dentistry department and to survey pediatric dentists' perspectives on dental general anesthesia indications. Methods A retrospective cohort study analyzed electronic medical records of patients undergoing dental general anesthesia. Additionally, a questionnaire was distributed to pediatric dentists at professional conferences, collecting responses to seven questions regarding dental general anesthesia indications. Results The cohort consisted of 245 dental records. The primary reasons for dental general anesthesia were extensive treatment needs (56%), young age (41%), parental preference (39%), lack of cooperation (27%), and medical comorbidities (23%). Parental preference correlated with the child's behavior during examination ( p = 0.030). Younger children (5 years) more frequently underwent dental general anesthesia due to extensive caries, while older children (5 years) were more likely referred due to behavioral issues and medical comorbidities. Of the 110 dentists who completed the survey, those performing dental general anesthesia were more likely to require a sedation visit before referral ( p = 0.003) and less likely to consider parental preference alone as an indication ( p = 0.010) compared to those not performing dental general anesthesia. Dentists performing moderate sedation were less likely to consider multiple visits ( p = 0.042), multiple extractions ( p = 0.028), multiple crowns ( p = 0.047), or parental preference alone ( p = 0.021) as indications for dental general anesthesia compared to those who did not perform moderate sedation. Discussion Partnership with parents and taking their preferences into account are essential in decision-making regarding dental general anesthesia.

Bookmark

View Full Paper