Prospective study on dental extractions carried out for paediatric patients under general anaesthetic in a district general hospital.

Background: The first line approach to managing healthy anxious children requiring dental extractions should include behavioural management and treatment under local anaesthetic. This can be coupled with conscious sedation.

Aim: To evaluate alternative methods attempted prior to treatment under general anaesthesia (GA), to establish the incidence of repeat GA procedures.

Method: Paediatric cases requiring dental extractions under GA were audited from October 2014 - December 2014 in the Oral and Maxillofacial Department, Great Western Hospital, Swindon.

Results: 78 paediatric cases requiring dental extractions were carried out during the study period. 91% of referrals came from local general dental practitioners (GDPs). The indication for the GA was included in 59% of the referral letters. The number of teeth extracted per case ranged from 1 - 14. In 18% of cases treatment under local anaesthetic had been attempted previously. Conscious sedation had not been attempted in any of the cases. There were 5 cases (6.4%) of repeat general anaesthetic procedures.

Conclusion: Local guidance regarding appropriate paediatric referrals should be distributed to primary care referrers. Treatment under conscious sedation should be considered for paediatric cases and an improved referral pathway to the community dental service should be developed. Preventative advice should be reinforced to the referrer and to the patient.