Trends and characteristics of pediatric dentistry patients treated under general anesthesia

Maxwell N. Rudie, Michael M. Milano, Michael W. Roberts, Kimon Divaris

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

9 Scopus citations

Abstract

Purpose: The aims of this study were to describe the demographic characteristics of pediatric dentistry patients undergoing dental rehabilitation under general anesthesia (DRGA) at UNC-Chapel Hill during the last 13 years and identify factors associated with multiple (1 versus 2 or more) DRGA visits during that timeframe. Study design: Administrative claims data were used to identify children and adolescents (age <18 years) who underwent DRGA between 1/1/2002 and 12/31/2014 at the UNC Hospitals system. Information on children’s age, sex and all treatment-associated CDT codes were collected. Descriptive statistics and bivariate tests of association were used for data analyses. Results: There were 4,413 DRGAs among 3,973 children (median age=4 years 8 months, males=55%) during the study period. The annual rate of DRGAs increased over time, peaking (n=447) in 2013. Overall, 9% of children had ≥2 visits with repeat rates up to 18%. There was no association between children’s sex and receipt of one versus multiple DRGAs; however, craniofacial cases were more likely (p<0.0005) to have multiple DRGAs compared to non-craniofacial ones. Conclusion: DRGAs are on the increase-with the exception of craniofacial and special health care needs patients, multiple DRGAs may be reflective of sub-optimal adherence to preventive and continuing care recommendations.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)303-306
Number of pages4
JournalJournal of Clinical Pediatric Dentistry
Volume42
Issue number4
DOIs
StatePublished - Jul 1 2018
Externally publishedYes

Keywords

  • Behavior guidance
  • Children
  • General anesthesia
  • Health services
  • Pediatric dentistry

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Pediatrics, Perinatology, and Child Health
  • General Dentistry

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