DENTAL TREATMENT UNDER GENERAL ANESTHESIA: AN OVERVIEW OF CLINICAL CHARACTERISTICS OF SPECIAL NEEDS PATIENTS

The aim of this study was to analyze the clinical characteristics of patients with cognitive and behavioral impairments receiving dental treatment under general anesthesia (GA-dental treatment). From August 2007 to April 2014, information was collected from 475 patients who received GA-dental treatment at the Clinic for Persons with Disabilities, Seoul National University Dental Hospital. The demographic factors (gender, age, disability, medication, GA history, residency type, caregiver, meal type, oral hygiene maintenance, and cooperation level) and dental status (operating duration, DMFT, malocclusion, periodontal disease, tooth defect, and treatment protocol) of the patients were evaluated. DMFT and malocclusion levels were compared among the patients with ANOVA and Sheffe's post-hoc test, and chi-square test, respectively. The correlation between the demographic characteristics and dental status of the patients were analyzed with the Pearson's correction test. The mean age of the patients was 27.1 (7 - 83) years and they had intellectual disabilities (55.4%), developmental disorders (17.9%), brain disorders (16.6%), neurocognitive disorders (4.6%), or others (5.5%). The mean DMFT (DT) was 8.6 (5.2) with a significant difference among the disability types (p<0.05). The incidence of malocclusion was higher in patients with intellectual disabilities and brain disorders than in the other types (p<0.05). The operation time ($191.4{\pm}91.2min$) was correlated with decayed or endodontically-treated teeth (p<0.05). Special needs patients requiring GA-dental treatment showed unfavorable oral conditions. Dental practitioners experience time restrictions and additional costs under a GA setting. Treatment planning and decision-making can be efficiently facilitated by evaluating the clinical characteristics of the patients.

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