Retrospective analysis of a decade of general anesthesia for dental treatment in patients with disabilities at a regional university dental hospital in South Korea.

Background: General anesthesia (GA) in dentistry is crucial for managing patients with special needs, enabling comprehensive care for individuals who cannot tolerate conventional procedures. This study aimed to analyze the demographic characteristics and trends in dental treatments performed under GA.

Methods: A retrospective analysis of 2,458 dental treatments performed under GA at Dankook University Jukjeon Dental Hospital was conducted between January 2015 and October 2024. Data on sex, age, GA duration, and type of disability were collected and analyzed.

Results: Of the 2,458 cases, 89.5% (2,199) involved patients with disabilities. Male patients accounted for 60.0% of the total cohort, and 61.3% of patients with disabilities were male. The mean age of patients was 34.1 ± 13.4 years, with younger patients more frequently treated under GA. Intellectual disabilities were the most prevalent (56.3%) followed by autism spectrum disorder (14.6%). The average GA duration was 174.8 ± 61.5 minutes, with longer durations observed in patients with disabilities (177.2 ± 61.1 minutes).

Conclusion: The increasing demand for GA, particularly among patients with disabilities, underscores the need for tailored guidelines and enhanced education on dental treatment performed under GA. These findings provide a foundation for future policy development.