Factors influencing the oral health of children undergoing general anesthesia.

Abstract

This study investigates factors in children undergoing general anesthesia for dental treatment at the University Children's Hospital of Basel (UKBB). A cross-sectional survey was conducted among parents of children (n = 119) receiving dental treatment under general anesthesia. A multilingual questionnaire collected data on demographics, oral hygiene practices, dietary habits, and dental experiences. Children's mean age was 5.9 years; 47.9% were aged between 5 and 8 years. A total of 18.5% had an underlying medical condition and 84.0% had a migration background. Children of migrant parents had significantly lower German proficiency than those of Swiss nationals (p < 0.05). Lower household incomes were predominantly observed in families with a migration background. Parental awareness of oral health varied with 58.8% unaware of whether their child's toothpaste contained fluoride. Children of Swiss parents were more likely to begin brushing their teeth at 6-8 months, whereas children with a migration background tended to start later (p < 0.05). High sugar consumption was prevalent, with 40.7% of children consuming sweets daily. Dental anxiety was reported in 60.7% of children, particularly in older age groups (p < 0.05). These findings highlight the need for targeted preventive measures focusing on early dental care education for risk groups to reduce the need for invasive treatments under general anesthesia.