107 - Demographic Shift of Pediatric Patients Requiring Treatment under General Anesthesia

Purpose: To evaluate changes in patient populations that underwent dental rehabilitation under general anesthesia (DRGA) at an urban children’s hospital before and after the Covid-19 pandemic.  

Methods: A retrospective chart review was completed for patients who underwent DRGA between January 1, 2018, and December 31, 2018, as well as January 1, 2022, and December 31, 2022. Dental electronic health records were reviewed to extract the following data: date of birth, sex, age at time of surgery, and medical history. Descriptive statistics and chi-square tests were completed. Statistical significance was set at a P-value of .05. 

Results: In 2018, 33% (82/250) of patients who had DRGA were healthy and 67% (168/250) had special healthcare needs (SHCN). In 2022, these numbers were 14% (26/178) and 85% (152/178), respectively. Significantly more patients with SHCN were seen in 2022 than in 2018 (P < .001). Fewer healthy patients were seen in 2022 relative to 2018 (P < .001). Though the age demographics of healthy children remained largely constant between 2018 and 2022, significant differences were noted in SHCN patients undergoing DRGA to include an increase in children over ten years old and a decrease in children ages 3-5yo.

Conclusions: Providers and hospital systems should recognize the benefit of adopting and expanding caries management techniques, including minimally invasive dentistry, to reduce reliance on DRGA especially for healthy patients. DRGA should be prioritized in cases of greatest need and for individuals with SHCN who cannot be definitively and safely managed with other treatment modalities.

Identify Supporting Agency and Grant Number: Research supported by the Division of Oral Health at Children's National Hospital.