Analysis of Hospital-Based Dental Procedures Under General Anesthesia in Uncooperative Patients: a Retrospective Study.

Background: General anesthesia is a well-documented therapeutic option for the provision of dental treatment, particularly in patients with special healthcare needs and uncooperative pediatric patients.

Objectives: This retrospective study aimed to analyze the characteristics of dental general anesthesia (DGA) procedures for uncooperative patients of all ages in a tertiary healthcare facility, Clinical Hospital Dubrava, in Zagreb, Croatia.

Material and methods: The hospital records for the patients treated for various dental reasons under GA were obtained at the Clinical Hospital Dubrava in Zagreb, Croatia.

Results: Between 2014 and 2019, a total of 810 DGA procedures were performed including 607 patients. The median age was 18 years. Almost half of the patients referred to undergo DGA procedures were from the City of Zagreb and Zagreb County, 27.8% (N=225) and 21.0% (N=170), respectively. More than 90% of patients undergoing DGA procedures were referred with 1 to 3 medical conditions. 47.9% of patients had 1 to 3 dental conditions, of which caries was the most common condition (95.7%). The mean waiting time (±SD) was 113.06 (±62.62) days. 90 patients (14.8%) were referred for dental procedures under GA more than once, accounting for 203 procedures (25.1%).

Conclusions: DGA remains a single dental treatment option for specific individuals. There is an institutional and, also, an organizational need to address the long waiting times and high repeated DGA rates.