Analysis of selection criteria of dental patients for general anaesthesia and conscious sedation

Abstract

Objective: The term general anaesthesia refers to a state of unconsciousness under control using pharmacological or non pharmacological agents in which patient reflexes are compeletely or partially lost. Concious sedation is a drug-induced state in which the conscious patient is rendered free of fear, anxiety, and apprehension while remaining comfortably relaxed. Both of these methods are used for various reasons in dental clinics for many years and their use in dentistry practice is increasing. Aim of this study is to quantify the number and demographic data of patients that received a dental general anaesthesia (DGA) or conscious sedation (CS) following referral from a general dental practice. Study also aimed to determine the reasons of referral and dental treatment modalities performed during the sessions.Methods: This study includes patient records who had undergone dental general anaesthesia and conscious sedation in Medipol University Dental Hospital General Anaesthesia Clinic. Data were collected from records of the University Dental Hospital. The collected information included gender, age, type of DGA/ CS, reason for DGA, treatment modalities as tooth extraction, restorative, endodontics, periodontics and pedodontics.Results: 896 patients were referred for DGA/CS during the two-year period. The mean age was 15.5 years and 27.3% were underaged children. The most common reason for DGA was dental anxiety (46.5%). 79.4% of patientd received DGA, while only 20.6% received CS. The highest mean in treatments is for decidious pulp capping (4.57) followed by decidious pulp amputation (3.57).Conclusion: Majority of the patients receiving DGA/CS are formed by dental anxiety patients. Also, the rate of underaged children were very high (27.3%).