Year: 2025
Type: article
Study design: Observational Study
Abstract: result, dental care under general anesthesia (GA) is often required to ensure comprehensive and effective treatment.6 General anesthesia provides dental care when conventional treatment is not possible.Several studies have shown that GA-assisted dental treatment has several advantages.It decreases tooth pain-related behaviors and can lead to improved quality of life.Secondly, it has been reported that social function, school performance, and social interaction improved after receiving GA-assisted dental care.[7][8][9] Surveys showed that in Western countries, the demand for pediatric dentistry for GA has been growing.10 It is important to note that dental treatment under GA should only be considered IntroductIonTooth decay is a serious public health problem, especially in infants and young children. 1 Despite prevention campaigns and oral health promotion in schools, the prevalence of tooth decay in children remains high.According to the World Health Organization (WHO): "Worldwide, 60-90% of school children have dental cavities." 2 Poor oral hygiene and high sugar intake contribute to dental caries.Early childhood caries (ECC) is a severe form of tooth decay that affects young children, particularly those exposed to prolonged bottle feeding or frequent consumption of sweetened liquids, especially before sleep.3 If left untreated, tooth decay can lead to pain, infection, and loss.In addition, tooth decay can have broader impacts on a child's overall health and well-being.Children with untreated tooth decay may have difficulty eating or speaking, leading to poor nutrition and speech development.They may also experience discomfort and pain, affecting their quality of life.4 The young age of children with ECC and patients with special needs often challenges the dental care team because dental treatment requires patient cooperation to ensure the safe outcome of care.5 This is particularly true for children with disabilities, including those with cerebral palsy, autism spectrum disorders, and other medical conditions that make conventional dental care difficult.For these children, standard dental procedures may be impossible due to anxiety, behavioral challenges, or physical limitations.
Institution: Queen Fabiola Children's University Hospital
Language: English
Subfield: Oral Surgery
Field: Dentistry
Domain: Health Sciences
Open Access status: diamond
OpenAlex ID: W4414376347