Analysis of paediatric dental care provided under general anaesthesia and levels of dental disease in two hospitals.

OBJECTIVE

To compare the level of dental disease and the pattern of dental treatment under controlled airway general anaesthesia for ASA I and II children and ASA III and IV children in two hospitals.

DESIGN

Prospective analysis.

SETTING

Hospital and postgraduate dental teaching institution, UK 1996 - 2000.

SUBJECTS AND METHODS

During a four-year period (1996-2000), data were collected on children aged 1 to 16 years who were admitted for treatment of dental caries under general anaesthesia. Outcome measures Levels of dental disease (dmft/DMFT), treatment provided.

RESULTS

A total of 515 ASA I and II and 430 ASA III and IV children were treated. The dmft and DMFT values of the ASA I and II children were significantly higher than those of the ASA III and IV children (p = 0.03). A significantly greater number of restorations and fissure sealants were carried out for permanent teeth in ASA III and IV children (p < 0.001). The number of extractions for both primary and permanent teeth was significantly greater in the ASA I and II group (p < 0.05).

CONCLUSIONS

The ASA III and IV children had significantly lower levels of dental caries than the ASA I and II children and received a higher level of preventive and restorative care.